Controversies and cost increases mark the construction of the Dos Bocas refinery.

The Dos Bocas refinery project has been surrounded by controversies and unfulfilled promises since its announcement by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador in May 2019. At that time, the president committed to building the refinery within three years and at an estimated cost of $8 billion. Despite inviting four international consortia, these companies declined to participate in the project under the proposed conditions, warning that costs and timelines would be significantly higher. Subsequently, the president decided that Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) would take on the construction of the refinery. Since then, the inauguration dates have been constantly modified. On several occasions, López Obrador has postponed the operational date, originally projected for 2022, to his latest claims that the refinery would begin production in August 2023 and reach its full capacity later in the year. The formal inauguration of the refinery took place on July 1, 2022, although the government acknowledged that it was only a "first stage." More than a year later, on August 3, 2023, the president declared the inauguration again, this time admitting that the refinery was operating at 50% of its capacity. However, energy sector experts argue that the plant is not even operating at that capacity, as it is receiving semi-finished products from other refineries instead of processing crude oil directly. Since its announcement, the cost of the refinery has increased exponentially. From the initially projected $8 billion, estimates have escalated to figures exceeding $18 billion, with some projections estimating that it could cost over $24 billion. This series of budget increases has been reported several times in Pemex's financial statements, but the president has denied inconsistencies until the figures were finally acknowledged. Another point of concern in the construction of Dos Bocas has been the figure of Leonardo Cornejo Serrano, a high-ranking official involved in corruption cases from previous administrations who, despite his history, has been hired by Pemex to lead the project. His role as Deputy Director of Industrial Projects has drawn criticism due to his association with the Odebrecht scandal and his proximity to key figures from the previous administration. On the other hand, Energy Secretary Rocío Nahle has been at the forefront of the project, but her management has also come under scrutiny. In the context of the 2024 electoral campaign, irregularities in her asset declaration have been reported, including properties that were not properly disclosed, raising doubts about transparency in the management of resources allocated to the refinery. The implications of the Dos Bocas construction relate not only to cost and time but also to perceptions of corruption and lack of ethics in the current administration. The connections of some officials with contracting companies and the opacity in the handling of contracts have raised concerns about the integrity of the process. Additionally, recent recordings have revealed conversations suggesting the existence of connections between high-ranking officials, companies, and multimillion-dollar contracts, adding another layer of complexity and controversy to the project that the government has attempted to promote as a symbol of energy sovereignty. As the works progress and announcements are made regarding the production and capacity of the refinery, the future of Dos Bocas remains uncertain. The reality of its operation and associated costs continues to spark significant debate about the direction of energy policy in Mexico and the government's ability to fulfill its promises. Initial expectations have been clouded by delays and cost overruns, and trust in the management of this ambitious project remains precariously balanced.