{
  "id": 3039204,
  "title": "De la Espriella claims 123,700 barrels stolen monthly from Colombia’s state oil company",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/de-la-espriella-claims-123-700-barrels-stolen-monthly-from-colombias",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-24T14:20:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Colombia Reports",
    "slug": "colombia-reports",
    "url": "https://colombiareports.com/de-la-espriella-claims-123700-barrels-stolen-monthly-from-colombias-state-oil-company/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "President Abelardo de la Espriella warned that oil thieves in northern Colombia are stealing an alarming 123,700 barrels of gasoline, diesel, and naphtha every month. According to de la Espriella, these stolen refined oil products, sourced from either imports or Ecopetrol, the state-owned oil company, are being pilfered through a 14-inch pipeline connecting Pozos Colorados in Santa Marta to the interior of Colombia. The majority of these losses are concentrated in the regions of Cesar and Magdalena.\n\nDe la Espriella estimated that this amounts to over 1.5 million barrels annually, resulting in losses surpassing $500 million for Ecopetrol and the nation as a whole. He further alleged that the stolen fuels are utilized in the illicit processing of cocaine by criminal groups operating in Colombia's peripheral areas.\n\nIf the president can confirm that a significant portion of this fuel is indeed being used in the production of cocaine, the situation becomes even more concerning. The theft of hydrocarbons may be part of a criminal network linked to drug trafficking and the financing of armed terrorist organizations.\n\nIn response to this crisis, President de la Espriella directed a \"joint operation\" to involve the military, police, prosecution, and administrative authorities in combating this criminal enterprise. Defense Minister Jorge Eduardo Mora was tasked with leading the effort, with de la Espriella demanding results and regular progress reports.",
  "summary": "Oil thieves from north Colombia would be stealing at least 123,700 barrel of gasoline, diesel and naphtha, a month, claimed President Abelardo de la Espriella. According to De la Espriella, the theft of the refined oil products that wee imported or produced by state-owned oil company Ecopetrol “is utterly alarming, and demands an immediate and […] The post De la Espriella claims 123,700 barrels…",
  "key_points": [
    "President de la Espriella claims 123,700 barrels of oil stolen monthly.",
    "Stolen fuel from Ecopetrol pipeline used for cocaine processing.",
    "Joint operation to combat criminal enterprise involving military and authorities."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Colombia Reports",
        "title": "De la Espriella calls for “iron fist” against crime in Colombia",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/de-la-espriella-calls-for-iron-fist-against-crime-in-colombia",
        "published": "2026-08-24T15:06:28.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}