The implementation of the new General Royalty System (SGR) -now in place for a year- has yielded positive results including greater transparency and access to funds for regions, according to Mauricio Santa Maria, director of the National Planning Department (DNP).
Colombia’s Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MinAmbiente) said in a statement that it has issued regulations that will define the building of watershed councils, part of a larger plan to govern the use of water.
The USO said it has presented a formal lawsuit to the country’s attorney general against Pacific Rubiales and contractor companies for what it describes as anti-union practices and a “violation of the right to gather and associate.”
Members of the municipalities of Munchia, San Luis de Paleque and Trinidad have met with oil company representatives to discuss the poor quality of the department’s roads.
The municipality of San Onofre has been through five mayors in the last year and a half, not to mention more than COL$ 5.5bn (US$ 2.9mn) in royalties from the Caño Limon pipeline which passes nearby.
A city council member of the Trinidad municipality will hold a meeting on May 31 to evaluate claims of environmental damage and noncompliance with social investments area communities have made against oil producers operating in the region.
The USO said that it has received more death threats last week directed towards union leaders in the Magdalena Medio region in a letter it says is signed by the Paramilitary group Los Rastrojos.
Ecopetrol and community leaders of municipalities surrounding the Cupiagua oil field have signed an agreement establishing the oil producer’s commitments with the local community.
Blockades have become the number one security issue for many companies, ahead of attacks by the Farc or ELN. Although blocking roads is illegal, the government is uncomfortable sending troops against private citizens apparently exercising their democratic rights. Worse for the companies, many of the issues being protested apparently have nothing to do with them.
The USO said last week their leadership made a trip to Canada in order to make ties with Canadian organizations and law makers that can assist the union organize against the Canadian firm Pacific Rubiales. The organization said it met with members of Canada’s Green Party and New Democratic Party, as well as with union delegates of the ACEP.
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