Colombia’s long-standing energy debate erupted into public view this week after Monica de Greiff, chair of the board of state-owned oil company Ecopetrol, dismissed the possibility that gas from Venezuela would ever supply Colombian households or industries. Her comments directly contradicted Colombia’s Minister of Mines and Energy, who has previously pointed to Venezuelan imports as part of the country’s energy transition strategy.
The clash highlights a widening rift inside Colombia’s energy sector at a time when the nation faces rising concerns over gas reserves, future self-sufficiency, and political tensions with the Nicolas Maduro government in Caracas.
Gas from Venezuela will never reach Colombia according to Ecopetrol top official
Speaking at a public forum, De Greiff made her position clear: “Gas from Venezuela will never arrive in Colombia. Never,” she sated firmly, sparking headlines across the country. The remark was not only categorical but also symbolic of the skepticism within Ecopetrol’s leadership about relying on imports from the politically volatile neighbor.
De Greiff’s declaration was in sharp contrast to recent statements by Mines and Energy Minister Andres Camacho, who suggested that importing Venezuelan gas could be an option to safeguard Colombia’s medium-term energy security. For Camacho, diversifying supply was a pragmatic move. For De Greiff, it was an unacceptable gamble.
“We must focus on maximizing Colombia’s own reserved and developing domestic projects. The country cannot depend on unstable or politically uncertain supply chains,” she stated.
Her stance echoes a long-running debate in Colombian energy policy. While the government under President Gustavo Petro has prioritized renewable projects and a gradual move away from fossil fuels, Ecopetrol has continued to emphasize oil and gas as the financial backbone of the state.
Political and energy implications
The rejection of Venezuelan gas carries both economic and geopolitical weight. Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves and significant gas fields, and Colombian officials have floated the idea of rekindling cross-border energy integration. The two countries already share infrastructure, such as the Antonio Ricaurte gas pipeline, which in theory could transport Venezuelan supply to Colombia.
Yet De Greiff’s intervention underscores why many in Bogota view that scenario unrealistic. Colombia cut off most energy ties with Venezuela during years of diplomatic rupture, and while relations have warmed since Petro took office in 2022, trust remains fragile.
“The uncertainty surrounding Venezuela’s political system and its economic management makes it impossible to design long-term energy policy around imports from Caracas. We need to invest in our own capabilities rather than depend on external promises,” De Greiff explained.
Her words carry added significance because Ecopetrol is not just another company. As Colombia’s largest firm, majority-owned by the state, it financed a large share of the national budget. Decisions made at Ecopetrol’s board table reverberate across the entire economy.
Energy analysts note that relying on Venezuelan gas would also involve complex legal, technical, and diplomatic negotiations. U.S. sanctions on Venezuela’s energy sector add another layer of difficulty, raising questions about whether Colombian firms could even participate in such deals without risking international penalties.
Related: Venezuela Says It’s Ready to Begin Gas Exports to Colombia.
A divided energy future
At the heart of this dispute lies a broader question: How should Colombia secure its energy future? Current projections indicate that domestic gas reserves could begin to decline within the decade. That has led some policymakers to look outward, while others argue that Colombia must accelerate exploration at home.
President Petro has been cautious about new oil and gas contracts, preferring a shift toward clean energy. However, Ecopetrol’s leadership insists that hydrocarbons remain indispensable. For De Greiff, the path forward is clear: “Colombia must prioritize self-sufficiency and innovations. Depending on Venezuela is not a plan, is it an illusion,” she said.
Her comments also reveal the political tightrope the Petro administration is walking. On one side, the government wants to maintain ideological and diplomatic ties with Caracas. On the other, it faces resistance from influential domestic players such as Ecopetrol, whose leaders and shareholders are way of entangling the company in uncertain regional politics.
In practical terms, De Greiff’s categorical “never” complicated the government’s messaging. If Ecopetrol refuses to engage, the possibility of Venezuelan gas entering Colombian markets becomes even more remote.
For now, the debate appears far from resolved. What is clear is that Colombia’s energy future will require careful balancing between environmental ambitions, economic realities, and geopolitical calculations. The clash between De Greiff and Minister Camacho may only be the beginning of a longer struggle over who gets to define the path.
As the nation debates renewable energy targets, mining reforms, and fiscal pressures, the question of whether to seek outside supply remains on the table. Yet De Greiff’s unequivocal words may have already shut one door. For now, for Petro’s government, the challenge is how to reconcile its energy transition agenda with hardline skepticism of Ecopetrol’s board. For ordinary Colombians, the outcome will shape not only energy prices but also the country’s economic stability in the years ahead.
Related: Colombia’s Ecopetrol Approves the Appointment of a Worker to the Board of Directors.