GULF OF MEXICO — An oil spill that occurred in the Gulf of Mexico in early March 2026 spread more than 600 kilometers and contaminated seven protected natural reserves in the states of Veracruz and Tabasco. Authorities ruled out the possibility of severe environmental damage from the spill off the coast of Veracruz.

The spill originated from a vessel and two natural seepages. Satellite image analysis and inspections identified a vessel anchored off the coast of Coatzacoalcos in Veracruz as a source of the spill. Satellite image analysis and inspections identified a natural oil seep known as a chapopotera located 8 kilometers from Coatzacoalcos as a source of the spill. Satellite image analysis and inspections identified a natural oil seepage in the Bay of Campeche as a source of the spill.

The oil covered an area of about 600 kilometers (373 miles), including 200 kilometers (125 miles) of coastline in the southern states of Veracruz and Tabasco. To date, 430 tons of hydrocarbons have been collected from the spill.

The spill killed sea turtles, a manatee, and various fish species. The spill damaged 17 reefs. Environmental authorities identified six species, including sea turtles, birds and fish, that were contaminated by the spill.

Hydrocarbons were collected in the Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve, the Veracruz Reef System National Park, the Lechuguillas Sanctuary, the Totonacapan Beaches Sanctuary, the Lobos Tuxpan Reef System Flora and Fauna Protection Area, and south of the Rancho Nuevo Beach Sanctuary in Veracruz. Cleanup efforts were carried out in the Centla Wetlands Biosphere Reserve in Tabasco.

The source of the spill remains active. As of early March 2026, 13 ships sailing in the spill area had not been inspected. One of the main sources of the spill is estimated to be the natural seeps in Cantarell in the Bay of Campeche. Natural oil seeps in Cantarell have a constant natural emission and there was a greater flow of contaminants in the last month.

Five months earlier, heavy rains and flooding caused a pipeline rupture and oil spill that extended 8 kilometers along the Pantepec River in Veracruz.