Natural occurrences known as chapopoteras, or underwater gas seeps, have contributed to oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico. The Mexican Navy attributes the spills to the illegal dumping of a ship and natural occurrences. The spills have affected beaches in Tabasco, Veracruz, and Tamaulipas due to strong winds and ocean currents.

La Secretaría de Marina atribuyó el derrame de hidrocarburos en el Golfo de México al vertimiento ilegal de un buque y a chapopoteras naturales. <p>Autoridades atribuyeron el <a href="https://www.elfinanciero.com.mx/nacional/2026/03/26/derrame-de-hidrocarburos-en-el-golfo-gobierno-senala-a-buque-y-chapopoteras-naturales/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank" title="https://www.elfinanciero.com.mx/nacional/2026/03/26/derrame-de-hidrocarburos-en-el-golfo-gobierno-senala-a-buque-y-chapopoteras-naturale...