Clean Energy Confederation: Petro's Vision for a Carbon-Free Gran Colombia

When Gustavo Petro speaks of Gran Colombia, he's not just invoking 19th-century dreams. He's proposing a 21st-century project built around the defining challenge of our time: climate change.

"The Grancolombiano project can begin as an example for Latin America and the Caribbean, through the integration of Gran Colombia in terms of clean energy, without C [Carbon]."

Why Energy Integration?

The four Gran Colombia nations possess complementary energy resources. Venezuela holds the world's largest oil reserves but needs to diversify. Colombia has significant hydroelectric capacity. Ecuador has geothermal potential. Panama's strategic position makes it a natural hub for transmission infrastructure.

Integrated, these resources could form a regional energy grid—one that prioritizes renewables while managing the transition from fossil fuels. Separately, each nation struggles with energy security. Together, they could achieve independence.

Petro's Climate Credentials

Unlike many Latin American leaders, Petro has staked his presidency on climate action. He's pledged to end new oil exploration in Colombia, despite the country's dependence on petroleum exports. He's pushed for Amazon protection at international forums. He's framed climate change as the central challenge of the century.

The clean energy focus of his confederation proposal isn't an afterthought—it's the core. Petro is arguing that regional integration and decarbonization go hand in hand.

The Amazon Dimension

Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador all share portions of the Amazon rainforest—the world's largest carbon sink. Coordinated protection of this resource is far more effective than fragmented national efforts.

The August 2025 ACTO (Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization) Summit in Bogotá, which Petro hosted, endorsed a $125 billion Tropical Forest Forever Facility. This is the kind of ambitious initiative that requires regional scale—exactly what a Gran Colombia confederation could provide.

A New Bolivarian Vision

Bolívar's original Gran Colombia was built around independence from colonial powers. Petro's version adds a new dimension: independence from fossil fuels.

It's a compelling synthesis. The same impulse that drove Latin America to reject European domination—the desire for self-determination—can drive the transition to clean energy. Why depend on global oil markets when you can generate your own power? Why remain vulnerable to foreign energy shocks when regional integration provides security?

The clean energy confederation is Bolivarianism updated for the climate crisis. And it might be the most realistic path to regional integration—because everyone, regardless of ideology, needs electricity.