Ecopetrol, Colombia’s state-owned oil company, is accused of pollution across over 800 sites, with significant environmental impacts reported in biodiverse areas, including the Magdalena River. Allegations stem from a whistleblower, revealing unreported pollution incidents and threats against environmental defenders. Despite claims of compliance and effective practices, the company faces scrutiny as data indicates ongoing environmental concerns.
The Colombian state-owned oil company, Ecopetrol, has faced serious allegations regarding pollution across hundreds of its operational sites. An investigation by the BBC World Service, supported by data leaked by a whistleblower, revealed more than 800 documented pollution incidents from 1989 to 2018. Notably, around 20% of these incidents were allegedly unreported by Ecopetrol, highlighting significant environmental concerns related to water sources and biodiverse wetlands.
The Ecopetrol refinery in Barrancabermeja, located along the Magdalena River, has been identified as a prime source of concern. The local fishing community indicates that oil contamination is adversely affecting local wildlife. The region, which is a habitat for threatened species including river turtles and manatees, reportedly shows signs of oil pollution, with locals describing fish that emit the smell of crude oil during cooking.
Ecopetrol has publicly asserted that it adheres to all Colombian legal regulations and claims to employ leading sustainability practices. However, the whistleblower, Andrés Olarte, who worked with Ecopetrol from 2017 to 2019, suggests that management dismissed concerns over pollution, leading him to disclose information to the Environmental Investigation Agency and subsequently the BBC.
Olarte’s revelations include a database indicating 839 unresolved environmental damage incidents, some dating back over a decade. He accused the company of concealing evidence of these issues, supported by records marked as “only known to Ecopetrol”. During a BBC visit, signs of ongoing pollution were observed at several of these sites, contradicting the company’s assertions of effective environmental management.
While former CEO Felipe Bayón rejected claims of deliberate secrecy surrounding pollution data, he attributed many spills to sabotage by armed groups—a claim that only partially accounts for the issue, as only 6% of incidents were categorized as such in the database. Continuous reports from the Colombian environmental authority reveal ongoing spills, suggesting systemic pollution issues remain unresolved.
The situation has placed environmental defenders such as Yuly Velásquez, a local fisherwoman, at risk. Violent threats against her and others have been reported after they challenged Ecopetrol. This is set against a grim backdrop, as Colombia is noted as one of the most perilous countries for environmental activists—a circumstance attributed to a history of violence related to armed conflicts and drug cartels.
Despite the threats, both Mr. Olarte and Ms. Velásquez express their intent to advocate for environmental accountability. They highlight the critical need for action to address the pollution affecting their communities while acknowledging the significant challenges posed by armed groups and potential retribution.
Mr. Bayón emphasized Ecopetrol’s role in Colombia’s energy landscape, underscoring the economic dependency of many families on the oil industry, while also suggesting a need for cleaner practices moving forward. The discourse around Ecopetrol’s accountability for pollution and its impact on the surrounding communities continues to evolve amid growing scrutiny from environmental advocates and regulators alike.
Ecopetrol faces serious allegations of pollution at numerous sites, as revealed by whistleblower Andrés Olarte, undermining the company’s claims of adherence to environmental regulations. The environmental impact on local biodiversity and communities is profound, leading to threats against activists and ongoing calls for accountability. Despite Ecopetrol’s assurances of compliance and sustainability, the evidence presented suggests a troubling trend of unresolved pollution and a necessary dialogue around corporate responsibility and environmental advocacy in Colombia.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
