Colombian oil company Ecopetrol was forced to suspend production at key onshore oilfields in Meta province last week amid growing social unrest in the run-up to national elections.
Vandalism, blockades and intimidation against workers caused Ecopetrol to suspend operations at the Castilla, Chichimene and CPO-9 oilfields, cutting nearly 20% of domestic production.
Ecopetrol said arson attacks by groups of masked vandals were “posing serious risks to the security of personnel” and had led to the decision to shut production.
