Two Mexican Businessmen Charged in U.S. Bribery Case Tied to Mexican State Oil Firm Pemex

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas unsealed an indictment charging two Mexican businessmen with allegedly paying bribes to secure lucrative contracts with Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex), Mexico's state-owned oil company, and its exploration and production subsidiary, Pemex Exploración y Producción (PEP).

According to federal prosecutors, Ramón Alexandro Rovirosa Martínez and Mario Alberto Ávila Lizárraga conspired to offer at least $150,000 in bribes to Pemex and PEP officials between 2019 and 2021.

The alleged payments were made to secure contracts and benefits for companies linked to Rovirosa. These included assistance with closing audits, releasing delayed payments, and facilitating contracts for road construction, platform development, and mechanical integrity services.

The U.S. Department of Justice said the bribes included luxury goods—such as Louis Vuitton bags and Hublot watches—along with cash and other high-value items. At least three Pemex officials allegedly received the payments as part of the scheme, which prosecutors say helped Rovirosa's companies secure contracts worth more than $2.5 million.

Some of the bribe negotiations took place over WhatsApp, where the businessmen and their co-conspirators coordinated gifts and favors, according to journalist Arturo Rangel, who reviewed the indictment.

Messages cited in the indictment reveal the tone and familiarity of the exchanges. One message read, "I spoke with our friend [Rovirosa]. As soon as he gets paid, we'll coordinate things to come see you." Another said, "It's not the money that moves me, but the commitment to people like you." Other messages included confirmations of gift deliveries: "It's already been given to him and is on its way to you."

The gifts and payments were not random, prosecutors said, but served as direct compensation for favorable treatment—such as overlooking technical objections, pushing through contract renewals, and unfreezing payments to preferred contractors.

Infobae México reported that Rovirosa is considered the right-hand man of Omar Vargas, a businessman currently under investigation for allegedly defrauding Pemex through a network of at least 20 shell companies. One of those companies was registered by Adán Augusto López Hernández, now a senator and previously governor of Tabasco and secretary of the interior during former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's administration.

Rovirosa was arrested in Texas on Aug. 10 and appeared before a federal judge, where he pleaded not guilty. He was released on a $1 million bond and will remain free while awaiting trial. Ávila, on the other hand, remains a fugitive, and an international arrest warrant has been issued for his capture.

Both men are charged with conspiracy and violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). If convicted, they could each face up to five years in prison for every charge, including conspiracy and FCPA violations.

"Bribery harms fair competition, erodes public trust, and will not be tolerated," said Assistant Director Jose A. Perez of the FBI Criminal Investigation Division in a statement released Sunday, Aug. 11. "Today's indictment underscores the commitment of the FBI, and our law enforcement partners, to fairness for communities in Texas and beyond."