Colombia’s energy chief blames gas distributors for price hikes, citing costly fuel imports.Grupo Vanti, the largest distributor, announced price increases of up to 36% in Bogotá and Medellín due to shortages.
Industry group Naturgas confirmed other companies are also raising prices as LNG imports cost two to three times more than local supply.With dwindling reserves and President Petro blocking new exploration, Colombia began LNG imports last year to meet demand.Energy Minister Andres Camacho denies the need for imports, blaming companies for reselling gas and passing costs to consumers.
José Ignacio López of ANIF warns rising fuel prices, along with wage hikes, are fueling inflation. He notes an indirect impact on energy costs for businesses, which may affect consumers.Higher-than-expected inflation early this year led the central bank to halt rate cuts.Tensions are rising between gas distributors and Petro’s government.
After Minister Camacho urged the public services watchdog to investigate distributors, Vanti CEO Rodolfo Anaya called his statement “unfair.”“No one benefits from higher gas prices—users, companies, or the government—but it’s a reality we must address,” Anaya wrote on X, urging collaboration on solutions.Naturgas confirmed the watchdog visited its offices Wednesday and pledged to cooperate with the investigation.Tensions are escalating between gas distributors and the administration of President Gustavo Petro as discussions over rising prices become increasingly strained.
The conflict intensified after Energy Minister Andres Camacho publicly called on the public services watchdog to launch an investigation into gas distributors, a move that has sparked pushback from industry leaders.In response to Camacho’s statement, Rodolfo Anaya, the Chief Executive Officer of Grupo Vanti, expressed his disagreement, calling the minister’s remarks “unfair.” Anaya emphasized that no party involved—whether consumers, businesses, or the government—stands to benefit from rising gas prices.
However, he acknowledged that the price increase is a reality that must be understood and addressed. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, he urged all stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue and work together toward viable solutions that could help mitigate the impact of higher costs.
Meanwhile, industry group Naturgas confirmed that officials from the public services watchdog conducted a visit to its offices on Wednesday as part of their inquiry into the matter. The organization assured that it would fully cooperate with the authorities as they proceed with their investigation into the gas price hikes.
