Abelardo de la Espriella Wins Colombian Presidency Amid Energy Crisis

The incoming government inherits an economy strained by a 7% to 8% fiscal deficit and a critical dependence on expensive energy imports. As of April 2026, national oil output sits at roughly 724,910 barrels per day—a sharp drop from the 915,087 barrels recorded a decade ago. This production gap, coupled with a plummeting natural gas supply, has pushed inflation to 5.84%, forcing the country to rely on costly liquefied natural gas imports that threaten energy sovereignty and household affordability.

To address these systemic risks, De la Espriella, supported by former finance minister José Manuel Restrepo Abondano, plans to restart exploration and production activities halted under the previous administration. Central to this strategy is the cautious reintroduction of hydraulic fracturing for pilot projects, adhering to strict environmental and social licensing requirements established by the Council of State. With the National Hydrocarbons Agency estimating 3 billion barrels of recoverable shale oil and 34 trillion cubic feet of shale gas, the administration aims to leverage these unconventional resources to stabilize the grid and secure the nation’s economic future.