This is not "NEW", it has been going on for some time. It is definitely a combination of Narco-Cartels/Organized crime and Cuba santioned criminals.
One of off-shore platforms we helped refurbish about 9 years ago was ransacked by modern Gulf Pirates. They mostly steal equipment which they resell. Some want to blame the "Oil Refrom" of Pena-Nieto, but this preceeded his election. In fact, our business dropped severely while he was in office.
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/The-Gulf-Of-Mexico-Has-A-Billion-Dollar-Pirate-Problem.html
https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/pirates-attack-gulf-of-mexico-oil-rig/
https://www.foxnews.com/world/mexican-pirates-gulf-mexico-oil-workers-tourists