Colombia’s USO Union Defends Loza and Rejects Ecopetrol Permian Sale
Colombia · ENERGY
Key Facts
- —What happened The USO union defended Loza’s board seat and rejected selling Ecopetrol Permian assets.
- —How big Ecopetrol’s Permian basin joint operation with Occidental Petroleum in the United States is considered strategic by the union.
- —The catch The union’s stance is not company policy, and no sale of the Ecopetrol Permian assets has been announced.
- —Who pays Selling Ecopetrol Permian assets would hurt the company’s finances and its contributions to Colombia’s economy, the union said.
- —What comes next No formal sale proposal has been attributed to any person or institution, as details remain unpublished in available sources.
The USO union backs César Loza’s board seat and opposes selling Ecopetrol Permian assets, citing financial harm.
Colombia’s oil workers’ union USO has defended César Loza’s seat on Ecopetrol’s board. It rejected any sale of the company’s Permian basin assets in the United States. Pulzo reported on 24 August 2026 that the union confirmed Loza’s permanence and opposed selling the Ecopetrol Permian assets.
Who is César Loza and why does his board seat matter
César Loza is a member of Ecopetrol’s board of directors and a former president of the USO union, according to Vanguardia. The newspaper identified him in those roles during coverage of a meeting on 21 August 2026.
Loza serves as the workers’ representative on the board, a position that gives labor a direct voice in decisions. His permanence was confirmed after a meeting between Ecopetrol’s president Abelardo de la Espriella and USO union leaders, Pulzo reported.
The union’s defense of Loza underscores the importance it places on having worker representation in corporate governance. USO did not just defend Loza’s presence but also presented its views and demands about the company’s future, according to Pulzo.
The board seat is significant because Ecopetrol is Colombia’s largest company and a major contributor to national revenue. Worker representation on the board is a structural feature that the union wants to preserve.
The USO union’s defense of Loza’s continuation on the board
The USO union confirmed Loza’s continuation as the workers’ representative on Ecopetrol’s board, Pulzo reported on 24 August 2026. This confirmation came after a meeting between the company’s president and union directors, according to the same report.
The union’s defense of Loza was explicit and public, going beyond mere acknowledgment of his role. USO also presented its perceptions and demands regarding the future of the Colombian oil company, Pulzo stated.
The meeting’s context involved discussions about Ecopetrol’s direction and the union’s priorities for the company. Loza’s role as a former USO president and current board member bridges the gap between labor and management.
Pulzo reported that the union’s position was firm and non-negotiable regarding Loza’s seat. The confirmation of his permanence signals stability in worker representation at the highest level of corporate decision-making.
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USO rejects selling the Ecopetrol Permian assets
The USO union insisted that Ecopetrol keep its stake in the Permian basin field in the United States, Pulzo reported. The union considers the ownership of these assets strategic for the company’s future.
Loza said the union ratifies its request not to sell the Permian, Pulzo reported on 24 August 2026. He cited the sale’s negative impact on Ecopetrol’s finances.
The union argued that selling the Ecopetrol Permian assets would have consequences for the company and its contributions to the national economy. The union views these holdings as vital to Ecopetrol’s financial health and strategic position.
Pulzo reported that the union’s stance against the sale was firm and clearly communicated. The position reflects a broader concern about protecting the company’s long-term value and its role in Colombia’s economic stability.
Ecopetrol’s joint operation with Occidental Petroleum in the Permian
Ecopetrol runs its Permian work with Occidental Petroleum, known as Oxy, El Tiempo reported on 23 August 2026. The partnership is a significant part of Ecopetrol’s international operations.
The Permian basin is the most productive oil region in the United States. The joint venture with Oxy gives Ecopetrol direct access to it.
El Tiempo reported that this joint operation has been maintained, though specific details about acreage or working interests have not been published. The search results did not disclose the number of wells, net acreage, or exact ownership percentages.
Pulzo referred to Ecopetrol’s participation in the Permian field as a stake, but no granular asset description was provided. The available information confirms the partnership exists but does not detail its full scope.
The strategic importance of Ecopetrol Permian assets for the union
For the USO union, the ownership of the Ecopetrol Permian assets is strategic and essential for the company’s future. The union stated that selling these assets would harm the company and its contributions to the national economy.
Pulzo reported that the union views these holdings as a source of financial strength for Ecopetrol. The strategic nature of the Permian assets means they are not just a revenue source but a key part of long-term positioning.
The union’s insistence on keeping the Permian assets reflects a broader concern about maintaining Ecopetrol’s competitive edge in global markets. Selling these assets could weaken the company’s international presence and financial stability.
The union also highlighted that these assets contribute to the company’s ability to generate returns for the Colombian state. This viewpoint underscores the union’s focus on protecting national interests through corporate decisions.
Who proposed selling the Ecopetrol Permian assets
None of the searched articles identified a named person, corporate organ, or government body as the formal proposer of a sale. The identity of any actor who proposed selling these assets has not been published in the available sources.
Pulzo reported the union’s stance as a response to a sale scenario. The outlet did not attribute the proposal to any specific individual or institution.
No formal proposal has been made public. The origin of the sale idea therefore remains unclear.
No article in the available set said that any particular person or group proposed selling the Ecopetrol Permian assets. This absence of information means the sale proposal’s source is not published in the materials considered.
The union position versus company policy on the Permian assets
The USO union’s stance against selling the Ecopetrol Permian assets is a union position, not company policy. No sale has been announced by Ecopetrol, and the company has not publicly endorsed any such move.
Union advocacy and corporate decision-making are different things. The union’s defense of the Permian assets does not mean management shares its view.
Ecopetrol’s acting president confirmed the ongoing joint work with Occidental Petroleum but did not comment on any potential sale. The company’s official position regarding the Permian assets has not been disclosed beyond maintaining the partnership.
The union’s request not to sell the Permian assets highlights a potential area of tension between labor interests and corporate strategy. Without a formal sale proposal, the union’s position remains a precautionary stance rather than a response to an actual plan.
What comes next for the Ecopetrol Permian assets and Loza’s board role
The future of the Ecopetrol Permian assets remains uncertain, with no formal sale proposal published by any source. The union has made its position clear, but the company has not indicated any immediate plans regarding these holdings.
Loza’s continuation on the board was confirmed after the meeting with union leaders, suggesting stability in worker representation. The union’s defense of his role indicates that this arrangement will continue for the foreseeable future.
Further details about the Permian assets, such as acreage or specific fields, have not been published in the available sources. The name of anyone who proposed selling these assets also remains unpublished, leaving the issue open to speculation.
The union’s public statements have set the stage for continued advocacy on these issues, but the next steps depend on company decisions. Observers will watch whether Ecopetrol addresses the union’s concerns about the Ecopetrol Permian assets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is César Loza in relation to Ecopetrol?
César Loza is a member of Ecopetrol’s board of directors and a former president of the USO union, according to Vanguardia. He serves as the workers’ representative on the board.
What is the USO union’s position on the Permian assets?
The USO union insists Ecopetrol should keep its stake in the Permian basin field in the United States. The union says selling these assets would have a negative impact on Ecopetrol’s finances.
Has Ecopetrol announced any sale of its Permian assets?
No, Ecopetrol has not announced any sale of its Permian assets. The union’s stance is a precautionary position, not a response to a formal company plan.
What partnership does Ecopetrol have in the Permian basin?
Ecopetrol maintains a joint operation with Occidental Petroleum, known as Oxy, in the Permian basin in the United States. This was confirmed by El Tiempo on 23 August 2026.
Why does the USO union oppose selling the Permian assets?
The union considers the Permian assets strategic for Ecopetrol’s financial health and contributions to Colombia’s economy. Selling them would have negative consequences, according to the union.
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