Colombia to file fracking prohibition bill on July 20

Colombia’s ministries of Mines and Energy and Environment will present a bill to prohibit hydraulic fracturing (fracking) on 20 July 2026, the day the new Congress is installed. The legislation, announced by Energy Minister Edwin Palma and Environment Minister Susana Muhamad, seeks to ban all exploration and extraction of hydrocarbons using fracking techniques, citing risks to water resources, ecosystems and public health.

The proposal is promoted as a key legacy of President Gustavo Petro’s administration and aims to align the country with other nations that have banned fracking. While environmental groups and some local communities support the ban, the oil sector warns of potential impacts on energy security, tax revenues and employment. The bill follows previous attempts that failed to become law, and its success will depend on parliamentary support in the upcoming legislative term.