Why Monterrey’s Gas Stations Are Empty and How Locals Beat the Heat
With gridlocked traffic from a failing $7.3 billion system and a gasoline shortage plaguing drivers, the city of Monterrey finds hope in a young girl's fight against a rare disease, supported by the community's beloved soccer fans.
Welcome, gringos and discerning travelers, to the real Monterrey. Forget the glossy brochures for a minute. We're here to peel back the curtain on the beautiful, chaotic, and utterly captivating spectacle that is life in Sultana del Norte. So grab a Topo Chico, find some shade, and let's get into it.
Gas Pains
You think the pump prices in the States are bad? Try finding a pump that has anything in it. A shadow war against fuel thieves, the infamous huachicoleros, has left parts of the Monterrey metro area high and dry. For at least three days, service stations in the sprawling suburbs of San Nicolás and Santa Catarina have been turning drivers away, with "NO HAY GASOLINA" signs becoming the hottest new accessory for pumps.
