Ecopetrol's new president announced that the company will have an alternate headquarters in Barranquilla: the mayor commented

During the inauguration ceremony of Ecopetrol's new president, Joaquín Gutiérrez, held on September 25, 2026, in Santa Marta, Magdalena, it was announced that the state-owned oil company will establish an alternate headquarters in the city of Barranquilla, prompting a response from the local mayor.

Simultaneously, during the same presidential possession event, Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella announced the full reactivation of hydrocarbon exploration and the signing of new contracts, while explicitly opening the door to fracking. In a separate recent development, President de la Espriella also publicly defended himself against online criticism and questioning regarding his carrying of a firearm during recent tours and military operations.