Colombia’s oil industry

Gushers and guns

A boom, and threats to it

See article

Readers' comments




Yes, it is disgusting how the FARC rape, kill, torture, extort and kidnap people - all in the name of some high ideal that not even they believe in any longer.

I am so glad the intelligent people of Colombia together with their government are now taking back the country.

Santos don't negotiate, don't compromise and don't back down - keep killing these feral and useless examples of humanity until Colombians can enjoy their entire country. And the people can share in the wealth. The FARC are desperate now because they see that their eventual fate is to be wiped out.

All the FARC has done is stop Colombia taking its rightful place as an economic powerhouse in Latin America. And yet in spite of these criminals (they are no longer guerrillas) Colombia is indeed prospering.
(Posted not from Australia but from Bucaramanga, Santander, Colombia)


Oil infrastructure is an easy and logical target for a diminished FARC re-organized in small groups looking to generate the most attention possible while avoiding direct confrontation (i.e. the quintessential geurilla tactics). Protecting oil pipes along thousands of kilometers is hard for the Colombian army, so there are bound to be vulnerable spots. Attacks generate lots of press and has big economic effects.

I forgo talking about many important issues to say the following. Now that it is becoming more and more evident that a complete military victory is unfeasable under current circumstances, maybe the government can learn a little from the FARC's strategy. Cut their money pipelines by legalizing drugs. Political ideals long gone in the organization's ranks, drug money is what fuels FARC members, what makes their enterprise viable, without it they would not last long.

ncanal in reply to Fabian_Burke

I bet Benjamin Franklin died without witnessing the atrocities a group of terrorist fueled by drug money and the proceeds of kidnapping can bestow upon millions of innocent civilians. Colombia´s conflict is not the consequence of state brutality but rather quite the opposite; the lawlessness of a rugged territory with an all too often inept government. Add Cuban inspired Marxism, Che Guevara nostalgia, poverty and narcotraffcicking and you have a very explosive mix!

Colombia needs more law enforcement not less, even if errors were made, Uribe´s recipe is what Colombia needs. Crimes committed by army or security forces personnel need to be punished.

I certainly do not sanction any crime, specially human rights abuses, but I much rather have the country run by over zealous cops and soldiers than by left wing narco trafficking terrorists!

Diego Galvan in reply to Alexwm88

Cannot agree more with your last statement, we know the origin of the problems, who are the ones causing troubles and where are they located, so....

It is clear that the goverment must act, those pills of peace and announcements made a couple of months ago from the FARC terrorists are just a facade in order to deviate attention from local media/press.

We need government to keep a strong hand on those criminals, and start a huge needed investment on infraestructure, we need decent roads, highways, ports and airports in order to get the best from our geographic location, tourism potential and the different free trade agreements we are currently working on.


It is tragic to see how Mr. Santos´ government is beginning to lose the firm grip against the FARC terror campaign. After the initial success in taking out alias Mono Jojoy and FARC´s leader Cano, the FARC guerrilla seem to be more emboldened and even better managed by its new leader 'Timochenko'.

I wish I didn´t have to say this but as a Colombian, I´m already missing the former government, yes, the good old Uribe days.


A good article, with a clear explanation about the problem. What is the solution? What is the Colombian government doing about this?


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