“Calgary-based Canacol Energy Ltd. in Colombian news articles on alleged funding of presidential campaign” – 14 July 2020

…A Canadian company that was involved in shelved fracking projects in Colombia with ConocoPhillips and that is now reportedly seeking a contract for one of the fracking pilot projects to be awarded in September/October is in the news…Las2Orillas reports: “An audio of Nubia Stella Martínez [the director of the political party Democratic Center] with María Claudia Daza [a former personal assistant of former President Alvaro Uribe] talking about the donation of $300,000 from a foreigner came to the hands of the magistrates of the Supreme Court of Justice”…La Silla Vacía further notes: “Cisneros has been a Canacol shareholder since 2015 when his company Cavengas Holdings, based in the Barbados tax haven, bought 19.9 percent (the cap allowed by Canadian legislation) of this natural gas producer”…Asuntos Legales adds: “Although the fracking projects located in Cesar and called Piranga and Plata were rejected the first time by ANLA, the company continues to await the decision of the Colombian authorities to receive permits and undertake with its pilots for the extraction of crude, impacting with hydraulic pressure…” The Global Affairs Canada Voices at Risk guiding principles notes: “Canada recognizes the key role played by businesses in protecting and promoting human rights and strengthening the rule of law. …Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service also works to inform and support Canadian businesses with respect to their legal obligations under the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act, and promote Canadian industry standards for responsible business…” Peace Brigades International accompanies defenders concerned about the human rights and environmental implications of fracking in Colombia. Canacol Energy Ltd. and two other Canadian companies – Toronto-based Sintana Energy and Calgary-based Parex Resources – are reportedly bidding to conduct fracking pilot projects there. As noted above, those contracts are expected to be awarded later this year…