Colombia's Petro government to file anti-fracking bill on July 20

The administration of President Gustavo Petro announced it will present a bill to ban fracking in Colombia on July 20, the day the new Congress is installed. The initiative, led by Mines Minister Edwin Palma and Environment Minister, is backed by scientific evidence on environmental, health, and social risks, according to officials. Source: lasillavacia Source: infobae

The bill marks the third attempt by the Petro government and at least the sixth overall, after previous efforts stalled in Congress. Source: lasillavacia It will be filed jointly with lawmakers from the governing Pacto Histórico coalition. Source: larepublicaco

Contrast with incoming government

President-elect Abelardo De La Espriella campaigned on a pro-fracking platform, using the slogan “fracking a lo que dé,” though his policy blueprint proposes pilot projects. His designated Environment Minister, Fabio Arjona, said the ministry will not oppose the technique but will oversee that it causes no irreparable environmental damage, limiting it to about 2,000 square kilometers outside protected areas. Source: lasillavacia The bill’s prospects are uncertain given the change in government on August 7.

Energy context

Colombia lost gas self-sufficiency in December 2024 and imported about 20% of its gas in 2025, with 90% of that coming from fracking in the United States. Source: lasillavacia If the new government restarts suspended pilot projects, commercial production could take decades. Source: lasillavacia