In a significant turn of events, Colombian prosecutors have taken control of the offices and assets of the Anglo-French oil and gas company Perenco, following allegations of the firm’s financial links to paramilitary groups. This accusation stems from actions that reportedly took place between 1997 and 2005, during which Perenco is said to have financially supported the now-defunct United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, commonly known by its Spanish acronym, AUC.
The AUC was notorious for executing violent anti-guerrilla campaigns, inflicting severe terror and loss of life across vast areas of the Colombian countryside for nearly a decade. This history has made the allegations particularly shocking, as former members of the paramilitary group have claimed that Perenco provided payments in the form of money, fuel, food, and transportation in exchange for protection services at oil extraction sites.
The prosecutor’s office made its announcement on Tuesday, stating that Perenco’s offices and assets, estimated to be worth around $10 million, would be redirected to a reparations fund for victims affected by the violence associated with these paramilitary groups.
In response to these allegations, Perenco issued a statement on Wednesday, vehemently denying any connections to illegal groups and contesting the claims. The company emphasized that it had not been given a fair chance to defend itself against these charges. “We deny any historic relationships with illegal groups, and we strongly oppose any involvement in the payment of any type of reparations,” a spokesperson for the company asserted.
Perenco currently employs approximately 400 workers in Colombia and has a production capacity of 14,000 barrels of oil per day, making it a significant player in the Colombian oil sector. As the investigations continue, the implications of these allegations may have far-reaching effects not only on the company but also on the broader dynamics of Colombia’s energy industry and efforts for reconciliation following decades of violence.
