Colombia’s trade minister expressed his confidence Tuesday that labor protests involving some oil companies will not affect foreign investment in the petroleum sector as a whole, Caracol Radio reported.
Foreign investment in the sector continues to increase, Minister Sergio Diaz-Granados said that, despite recent labor unrest, hydrocarbon investment is growing 70% faster than it did one year ago, he argued.
At least four people were injured Monday in the Meta department when police clashed with Pacific Rubiales oil workers who were protesting against stalled pay negotiations.
In another incident last week, a labor strike in the Casanare department halted construction of what will be the longest line of oil transportation in Colombia.
“I hope that all of these situations are corrected as soon as the authorities are involved,” the minister said.