Background on President Gustavo Petro
Gustavo Petro is the current President of Colombia, taking office on August 7, 2022. A former member of the Colombian Senate and a prominent figure in Colombia’s left-wing politics, Petro has been an outspoken critic of corruption and inequality. His political career includes being a prominent leader in the M19 movement, which advocates for social justice and peace. As president, Petro aims to address poverty, inequality, and the ongoing armed conflict in Colombia.
Petro’s Allegations Against Ecopetrol
In a recent statement on the social media platform ‘X’, President Petro accused Ecopetrol, Colombia’s state-owned oil company, of supplying 10% of its refined gasoline to criminal organizations involved in cocaine production. Petro described this as a “state subsidy for drug traffickers,” criticizing the existing regulations that allow official gasoline to reach drug cartel-run laboratories.
Biden Administration’s Role
Petro claimed that the previous U.S. administration under Joe Biden enabled this situation by not providing him with names of trusted personnel to strengthen Ecopetrol’s security measures. This allegation suggests that Petro believes the Biden administration’s actions indirectly contributed to the issue.
Controversial Contract
In the same ‘X’ post, Petro addressed an investigation by ‘La Silla Vacía’ and ‘Noticias Caracol’ revealing Ecopetrol’s alleged favoritism towards Gaxi S.A., a company linked to a close friend of Ecopetrol’s president, Ricardo Roa. The investigation suggests that Gaxi S.A. was granted a contract to implement and operate a gas regasification barge, which raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
Petro stated that when he advocated for Ecopetrol to participate in gas imports temporarily, his intention was to decrease domestic demand for fossil fuels. He emphasized that Ecopetrol, not a private intermediary, should conduct the operation to ensure transparency and accountability.
Key Questions and Answers
- What are the allegations made by President Gustavo Petro against Ecopetrol?
President Petro accused Ecopetrol of supplying 10% of its refined gasoline to criminal organizations involved in cocaine production, describing it as a “state subsidy for drug traffickers.” He criticized existing regulations that allow official gasoline to reach drug cartel-run laboratories.
- What role does Petro claim the Biden administration played in this issue?
Petro alleged that the previous U.S. administration under Joe Biden enabled this situation by not providing him with names of trusted personnel to strengthen Ecopetrol’s security measures.
- What is the controversy surrounding Ecopetrol’s contract with Gaxi S.A.?
An investigation by ‘La Silla Vacía’ and ‘Noticias Caracol’ revealed Ecopetrol’s alleged favoritism towards Gaxi S.A., a company linked to Ricardo Roa, Ecopetrol’s president. The investigation suggests that Gaxi S.A. was granted a contract to implement and operate a gas regasification barge, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
