Mexico announces anti-poverty campaign to fight fuel theft
Xinhua | Updated: 2019-01-23 15:43
MEXICO CITY - Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Tuesday announced a series of anti-poverty programs to curb fuel theft in the country's developing areas after a pipeline explosion killed 93 people.
The government will spend about $200 million on the programs, including an employment scheme, pensions and loans for small businesses. The programs are aimed at improving living conditions of 1.7 million people mainly in areas where fuel theft often takes place.
No Mexican will need to collect fuels because they will have work and the government's support, the president said at an event held in the town of Acambay in the northern part of the State of Mexico.
A pipeline exploded in the Mexican state of Hidalgo on Friday, which has left 93 people killed, according to the Health Ministry.
Authorities said between 600 and 800 people gathered at the site to collect leaked fuel when the explosion took place.
The death toll could rise as 46 people remain hospitalized, including one in grave condition.
