The Andes: So Much Energy, Such Little Security

This chapter investigates the current energy law and policy in Colombia and Venezuela, two of the richest but also most unstable countries in the area. It traces the efforts of the two countries as they struggle to avert a looming energy crisis of both domestic and international significance. It discusses that few other regions and countries face such a challenging and mixed array of energy security issues, ranging from physical security of personnel and infrastructure, to ensuring that the lights come on and stay on in every household, while meeting revenue-generating export goals. It notes...

This chapter investigates the current energy law and policy in Colombia and Venezuela, two of the richest but also most unstable countries in the area. It traces the efforts of the two countries as they struggle to avert a looming energy crisis of both domestic and international significance. It discusses that few other regions and countries face such a challenging and mixed array of energy security issues, ranging from physical security of personnel and infrastructure, to ensuring that the lights come on and stay on in every household, while meeting revenue-generating export goals. It notes that much like their neighbours in the rest of the Andean region, whether or not these countries succeed in their efforts or whether they go from exporters to importers of energy products, may shape the very notion of energy security on a regional and international scale. It discusses the uncertainties that cloud energy development.