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Airport Fuel Shortage in Colombia Sparks Fears of a Venezuelan-Style Collapse — Is President Petro Responsible or Is There a Larger Issue?

Airport Fuel Shortage in Colombia Sparks Fears of a Venezuelan-Style Collapse — Is President Petro Responsible or Is There a Larger Issue?
By Alan Wilson from Stilton, Peterborough, Cambs, UK

Colombia’s aviation sector is in the grip of a fuel crisis that could bring the nation’s airports to a standstill. The morning of August 26th saw the cancellation of 26 Avianca flights at José María Córdova International Airport – and other Colombian airports are struggling to get their flights going. This is something that can soon affect other Latin American flights if not managed properly.  

What Is Going On and Why Are People Blaming Petro?

At the heart of the issue is a critical shortage of Jet A1 fuel, with airports in Leticia, Montería, Bucaramanga, and Bogotá’s El Dorado International Airport all reporting dangerously low levels. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has raised urgent alarms, emphasizing the potential fallout if fuel supplies continue to dwindle. Yet, while the government scrambles to manage the crisis, political tensions have complicated the narrative, with many blaming President Gustavo Petro’s administration. 

Petro, known for his stance on transitioning Colombia away from fossil fuels, has become a focal point in the conversation. Critics are quick to connect the fuel shortage with his government’s decision to halt new exploration permits for oil and gas. However, the reality of the situation seems to be more complex.  

Official statements from Ecopetrol indicate that the crisis stems from a technical failure at the company’s Cartagena refinery, which suffered a power outage on August 16th that halted operations for four days. This led to an 8 percent reduction in aviation fuel deliveries, though Ecopetrol later managed to narrow the shortfall to 5 percent. 

Despite these facts, the narrative around Petro’s policies persists. His administration’s push for clean energy alternatives has sparked widespread debate, especially as Colombia remains heavily reliant on oil and gas exports. It doesn’t help that Venezuela started seeing fuel shortages at the rise of communism. Now, many Colombians are scared that they are on the path to communism due to this issue.

In this tense environment, every disruption seems to become another battleground in the ongoing political war. The IATA, however, has stressed that this crisis is not a direct consequence of Petro’s policies but rather an unfortunate result of operational issues at Ecopetrol. 

What Is Colombia Doing to Manage the Fuel Shortage in Airports

For now, airlines are trying to manage the fuel shortage through a practice known as “tankering,” which involves loading additional fuel at airports with ample supplies to avoid shortages at their destinations. However, this comes at a cost, with fewer passengers and less cargo being transported, and added operational expenses.  

The Civil Aeronautics Authority and Ministry of Transport have granted airlines temporary flexibility to adjust flight schedules between August 28th and September 4th, including suspensions and rescheduling without penalty, provided passengers are notified and compensated. 

What’s Next?

While Petro’s administration faces intense scrutiny, the immediate focus remains on mitigating the impact of the fuel crisis. Colombia’s aviation sector is already feeling the strain, and without swift action, the situation could escalate into an international issue, affecting not only domestic flights but also critical cargo and tourism operations.  

The coming days will test the resilience of Colombia’s infrastructure and the government’s ability to navigate this crisis while keeping the country’s skies open. On the other hand, the outlook for passport bros and gringos hoping to exploit Colombians is increasingly bleak. Sympathy is hard to find for those seeking personal gain amid the chaos. 

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