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.
Colombian energy company Terpel announced its strategic focus on three business lines for 2026—solar energy, electromobility, and lubricants—to compensate for impacts from divestments in Ecuador and Peru.
An AtlasIntel poll (sponsored by Revista Semana) conducted January 5-8, 2026, reveals Abelardo de la Espriella leading Colombia’s presidential race with 28% voter intention, narrowly ahead of Iván Cepeda at 26.5%. The survey of 4,520 participants carries a 1% margin of error for general results and 3% for party consultations, with 95% confidence level. UPDATED Bottom-Line.
The Ministry of Mines and Energy, led by Minister Edwin Palma, activated an institutional monitoring plan for strategic fuel gas sector projects aimed at strengthening supply and guaranteeing energy system functionality.
Following political upheaval in Venezuela in early January 2026, global petroleum markets are undergoing significant realignments as major players position in the new landscape. President Trump announced substantial U.S. investment plans while Canada, Mexico, India, and China reassess their energy strategies in response to Venezuela’s changing landscape.
César Loza, president of the Unión Sindical Obrera (USO), was selected as Ecopetrol’s first-ever worker representative to the board of directors in elections held January 14-15, 2026. The election marks a historic milestone, as this is the first time a worker will participate in the state oil company’s board following changes approved at November’s General Assembly.
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