News and AnalysIs for

Colombia’s vehicular natural gas prices increased 80% between 2022 and 2026, rising from approximately CoP$1,930 per cubic meter to nearly CoP$3,490, with annual average increases of 18% confirming a sustained upward trend at service stations.

A new GAD3 poll revealed by Noticias RCN shows Iván Cepeda (Pacto Histórico) leading Colombia’s presidential race with 30% voter intention, followed by Abelardo de la Espriella (Defensores de la Patria) at 22%, and Paloma Valencia (Centro Democrático) at 3%. The survey of 1,207 respondents carries a 2.83% margin of error.

César Eduardo Loza was elected as Ecopetrol’s eighth board member, marking the first time in the state oil company’s 74-year history that a worker representative will participate in strategic decision-making.

Costa Rica, Uruguay, and Chile continue leading Latin America with the highest hourly labor costs based on 2026 minimum wage rates. The analysis assumes a standard workday of 8 hours daily and 22 working days monthly, though this may differ from legal calculations in each country.

Parex published its operational and CAPEX guidance for this year. It also announced that founder Wayne Foo would retire as Board Chair and Director of the Board, effective May 12, 2026.

President Gustavo Petro ordered the National Legal Defense Agency (Andje) to recover property from the SPEC regasification plant in Cartagena, claiming it represents an unconstitutional private monopoly that substantially raises electricity tariffs.