Mexico President Andrés Manuel López Obrador last Friday sent a bill to congress to amend the Hydrocarbons Law and grant the state greater control over granting and revoking permits in the oil, gas and petrochemicals business.

AMLO

López Obrador on Monday said the bill was designed to “remove the sharpest edges” of the 2013-2014 energy reform that opened the energy business to private industry, and it would protect citizens from “the voracity of some companies.”

The Mexican energy industry was quick to criticize the proposed changes, which come only weeks after a modification to the Electricity Law was approved by the senate.

Mexico fuel sellers trade group Onexpo Nacional said the bill contained “elements that contradict principles and rules established by the...