Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-26-2011

Abstract

This month, Colombia gained a new energy minister, economist Mauricio Cardenas, but lost long time National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH) head, Armando Zamora, amid allegations that oil royalties had been misused and scholarships had been unfairly given to relatives of top officials. Zamora has denied wrongdoing, and suggested social protests posed a bigger threat to the sector than corruption. Meanwhile, protests last week forced Canada's Pacific Rubiales, one of the largest oil producers in Colombia, to declare force majeure before coming to an agreement with demonstrators. What will the changes at the top of the energy ministry and ANH mean for Colombia's oil sector? What accounts for the rise in social protests and do they pose a significant threat to the industry? Does the country have an effective strategy to handle them?

Language

English

Publisher

Inter-American Dialogue

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