Mexico: COFECE sanctions Pemex for settlement breach

The Federal Economic Competition Commission’s Board of Commissioners (COFECE) fined Pemex Transformación Industrial (a subsidiary of the state-owned oil company, Pemex) 418.3 million Mexican pesos (US$22.3 million) for failing to comply with the commitments assumed before the Commission, which have the purpose of restoring competition in the market for the commercialization and distribution of special marine diesel and other petroleum products.

In 2015, Pemex was reported to the Commission for abusing a dominant market position practices, specifically for discriminatory treatment (relative monopolistic practices, under the local law). That is, for not offering the same supply and first-hand sales conditions of special marine diesel to distributors under equal circumstances.

The first report was delivered extemporaneously, almost one year over the stipulated delivery date. The delayed presentation of the audit hinders COFECE’s access to a fundamental requirement for its verification of Pemex’s compliance with the commitments set forth in the settlement.

COFECE deemed Pemex breached the settlement, which merited the fine.

Full Content: COFECE

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