CITGO Petroleum Corporation Addresses Recent Legal Complaint Allegations

CITGO Petroleum Corporation Addresses Legal Allegations

On May 27, 2026, CITGO Petroleum Corporation released a statement addressing allegations stemming from a complaint filed in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. The complaint, submitted by plaintiffs Jorge Alejandro Rodriguez Moreno, Miguel Enrique Otero Castillo, Iván R. Freites C., Angel Moreno, Pedro O. Mora, and Jesus A.M. Carrillo, was officially recorded on May 21, 2026. This latest complaint appears to be connected to previous claims that federal courts in Delaware and Florida have already dismissed.

The allegations made by the plaintiffs have been firmly rejected by CITGO, which maintains that there is no basis for the claims being presented. The Delaware court had previously determined that the plaintiffs did not provide sufficient evidence to establish that CITGO or its affiliates engaged in the alleged conduct forming the crux of the current claims.

In response to these developments, CITGO emphasizes that it categorically denies any wrongdoing. The corporation reiterated its position that it is not liable for the debts the plaintiffs are claiming, reflecting an unwavering commitment to uphold its legal and operational standards. The company expressed clarity on its compliance with U.S. laws, including guidance from the U.S. Department of the Treasury pertaining to sanctions.

The comprehensive governance, compliance, and internal control frameworks that CITGO maintains are designed to ensure ethical conduct across all operations. In the face of these allegations, CITGO is focused on defending itself and its employees rigorously throughout the legal proceedings that follow.

CITGO is a well-established entity within the refining industry and operates under the CITGO brand, recognized for quality and reliability. The company has three refinery operations situated in Lake Charles, Louisiana; Lemont, Illinois; and Corpus Christi, Texas. Collectively, these facilities have a crude capacity of around 829,000 barrels-per-day, placing CITGO among the largest independent refiners in the United States.

Beyond refining, CITGO possesses a network of approximately 4,000 branded retail outlets and owns or jointly operates 43 active terminals and eight pipelines. Additionally, the corporation manages three lubrication blending and packaging plants, affirming its diverse engagement in the petroleum products market.

With roughly 3,600 employees, CITGO continues to thrive as it transports and markets a diverse range of products, including transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals, and other industrial goods.

Moving forward, CITGO is committed to transparency and integrity in its business activities, making clear that it will not comment on specific allegations at this moment but is ready to address them through the appropriate legal channels. The company's dedication to ethical practices and stakeholder responsibility remains at the forefront of its operational philosophy, as it seeks to navigate and resolve any disputes while focusing on its core business activities.

In conclusion, CITGO Petroleum Corporation stands resolutely against the recent complaint and aims to clear its name through all necessary legal measures, continuing to uphold its reputation within the industry and maintain confidence among its customers and partners.