Colombia launches offensive against fuel theft linked to cocaine

President Abelardo De la Espriella has ordered a joint military and police operation to dismantle a criminal network allegedly stealing about 123,700 barrels of refined fuel per month from a single pipeline, with losses exceeding $500 billion pesos annually for state oil company Ecopetrol Source: El Tiempo. The theft, concentrated in Cesar and Magdalena departments, is suspected of fueling cocaine production, with stolen fuel transported by so-called 'death caravans' of up to 600 vehicles toward the Catatumbo region Source: Infobae.

The operation

The president directed the Ministry of Defense, military forces, and national police to coordinate with Ecopetrol and the Attorney General's Office to target the entire criminal chain—from financiers to buyers—not just those who perforate pipelines Source: Portafolio. Defense Minister General Jorge Mora will personally oversee the operation, which includes intelligence, territorial control, and financial tracking Source: Infobae.

Key figures

• 123,700 barrels of gasoline, diesel, and naphtha stolen monthly from the 14-inch Pozos Colorados–Galán pipeline Source: La República.
• Over 1.5 million barrels per year if the rate continues, causing losses exceeding $500 billion pesos (about €139 million) Source: Infobae.
• Theft is concentrated in Cesar and Magdalena, with illegal taps in Ciénaga, Aracataca, Aguachica, and Río de Oro Source: Portafolio.

Context and concerns

De la Espriella cited prior attacks on oil infrastructure, including the Oleoducto Trasandino and Caño Limón-Coveñas, which have severely affected operations Source: El Colombiano. The announcement comes amid record cocaine production in Colombia, with UNODC reporting 3,708 tons produced globally in 2023 Source: El Colombiano. The president emphasized the need to determine how much stolen fuel reaches drug trafficking networks and to apply asset forfeiture against criminal organizations Source: La República.