By: Socialist Workers’ Current (CST)
One week after the tragedy, the people of Poza Rica have shown great fortitude and solidarity. Many thousands have been affected and are now forced to take measures to guard the few belongings they have salvaged. But amid mourning for the dead and despair for the missing, the people have denounced the municipal president’s irresponsible omission, the governor of Veracruz’s criminal contempt, and the pretense of federal assistance, which most have yet to receive. Why is the federal government delaying aid? They claim it is “to package it with the Welfare Program.” To them, political propaganda is more important than effective aid.
However, it is touching that people from distant parts of Mexico have provided immediate and effective support. We workers are always the ones who bear the brunt. The authorities only “rub our backs” to steal our votes every three years. Once again, the so-called “authorities” have abandoned us in the face of tragedy. Nevertheless, we working people have once again shown what we are capable of when tragedy demands immediate action!
The anonymous heroes of PEMEX
We received testimony from CPG workers. They saw Luis Arturo Aguirre fall behind in the evacuation line to help a colleague having difficulty moving forward when the water had already risen above his waist amid the chaos and uncertainty of the impending collapse of the facilities. He was swept away by the violent flood current and lost his life. This is proof of worker heroism. It’s an example of the humanism of humble people, not the kind proclaimed in official speeches!
While the gas plant superintendent fled in his truck without addressing the tragedy and abandoning the workers, and while another shift supervisor delayed the evacuation plan, the anonymous heroes risked their lives to confront the emergency. We offer our most respectful tribute to all of them.
The paralyzed gas processing complex
The best tribute we can pay to these heroes’ sacrifice is to multiply their examples of solidarity by forming workers’ committees to provide effective support to affected colleagues, family members, and neighbors. This is not only for the workers of PEMEX, the main industry in Poza Rica, but also for all other workers in the local economy. However, it is important to note that the complete shutdown of the CPG is a current reality, not a distant threat. Gas, the fundamental raw material that previously fueled the process, is now being burned in the wells. This wastes an energy resource and increases pollution. In the face of this reality and the uncertain outlook, we must act to ensure the continued operation of the CPG.
We must not lose sight of our main industry: the driving force behind the region’s economic activity, Pemex’s cryogenic plant. The task for the 800 CPG workers and the many other Pemex and company oil workers is combined: organize support committees for affected colleagues and gather information about victims, missing persons, the sick, and the most vulnerable populations (children, the elderly, etc.). This information should include their most urgent needs (medications, shelter, etc.). This will make aid to those affected more effective and help avoid official and corporate corruption.
Let’s organize the rescue, solidarity, and restoration!
These committees, organized by workplace or neighborhood, must communicate and coordinate with each other to collaborate and establish priorities regarding needs. It is also necessary to build ties of solidarity and cooperation with affected students. This is especially important because many of them come from other parts of the state or even other states, so they lack family support in the area.
These committees can also monitor homes and belongings that have been temporarily abandoned. Speculators who take advantage of others’ needs by raising the prices of scarce products must also be monitored. Expropriate those who speculate on prices!
The danger of an epidemic
Among the urgent actions requiring machinery, equipment, and tools are draining and cleaning the affected areas without transferring the problem to neighboring areas. There is already evidence of decomposing organic matter, which could lead to an epidemic and further complicate the situation. We call on construction and emergency service workers to coordinate and lend their expertise, as well as their machinery, equipment, and tools, to create safe areas and routes for drainage and debris disposal. These are moments that call for swift action to mobilize resources. It is unacceptable that some business owners are seeking to profit from the needs of others.
Demanding action from the state: No more neglect and pretending!
These actions are urgent and a priority—the moment demands them. However, this should not distract us from holding those responsible for the disaster accountable. They remain in their positions and have a responsibility to resolve the situation.
Therefore, we demand that federal, state, and municipal authorities immediately deliver resources for medical care, food, and shelter to Workers’ Committees, families, and neighbors. They are in the best position to allocate and distribute these resources. Likewise, we demand the provision of all necessary technical and financial resources for the rapid and safe recovery of the affected areas to prevent an epidemic.
We demand the formation of an independent technical expert committee to investigate the background, development, and consequences of the tragedy. The committee should also examine the actions of those who had the authority to prevent or minimize the tragedy. This investigation will help us establish responsibilities and ensure that no one goes unpunished.
Finally, we must remain alert to new climatic events that may occur during rescue and recovery efforts, as well as when the situation is finally evaluated, to prevent a recurrence of the tragedy, as occurred in 1999 and again now.
