A whistleblower has revealed that Colombian oil giant Ecopetrol has polluted numerous sites, including water sources and wetlands, failing to report a significant number of incidents. Despite the company’s claims of compliance with sustainability practices, data shows ongoing pollution, affecting local wildlife and communities. Activists are facing threats for speaking out, illuminating the perilous environment for environmental defenders in Colombia.
Colombian oil company Ecopetrol has been implicated in environmental pollution, affecting numerous sites including vital water sources and biodiverse wetlands. A whistleblower has exposed over 800 records from 1989 to 2018, suggesting the company failed to report around 20% of these incidents. Despite these claims, Ecopetrol asserts its compliance with local laws and adoption of sustainable practices.
The main refinery, located in Barrancabermeja, stretches nearly 2 kilometers along the Magdalena River, which serves millions. Local fishers have expressed concern regarding the impact of oil pollution on wildlife, observing fish contaminated with oil odors and seeing visual signs of pollution in the waterways.
The whistleblower, Andrés Olarte, alleges that Ecopetrol concealed pollution data from authorities. Upon joining in 2017, he reported troubling pollution levels but faced dismissal about his concerns, leading to his departure in 2019. He provided documentation to the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and the BBC, proving long-standing unresolved environmental impacts.
Olarte’s revelations include a database identifying 839 unresolved environmental impacts, with some areas remaining polluted for over a decade. The former CEO, Felipe Bayón, denied the existence of policies withholding information and attributed some spills to acts of sabotage. However, data suggests ongoing pollution, with hundreds of spills reported yearly since 2020.
The local fishing community has witnessed significant wildlife fatalities, including manatees and capybaras, with pollution cited as a factor alongside climate change. Following his departure, Olarte received threats possibly linked to his disclosures, while others, including fishers, also reported intimidation.
The current climate in Colombia remains perilous for environmental defenders, with a record number of killings in 2023 attributed to ongoing armed conflict. Analysts note potential connections between private security firms used by Ecopetrol and former paramilitary members. Ecopetrol maintains it has no ties to illegal groups.
In light of these concerns, Olarte has persistently raised alarm about Ecopetrol’s environmental practices to authorities while facing ongoing legal battles. Both he and local activists stress the need for action to protect their ecosystems, despite facing dire threats. Ecopetrol’s leadership emphasizes the importance of their operations for energy access while advocating for sustainable practices.
Local fisher Velásquez remains undaunted, asserting the critical nature of their work amidst threats and pollution, saying, “If we speak and report, we are killed… And if we do not report, we kill ourselves, because all these incidents of heavy pollution are destroying the environment around us.”
The exposé surrounding Ecopetrol illustrates significant issues concerning environmental management and corporate accountability in Colombia. The allegations raised by the whistleblower and the local fishing community highlight the serious pollution incidents impacting biodiversity and public health. Ongoing threats against environmental defenders underscore the precarious situation they face while advocating for accountability and a sustainable future.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
