The Trump administration’s renewed push to destabilise Colombia’s energy sector threatens to undermine British investments in the region, according to diplomatic and economic analysts. The former president’s demands for a renegotiation of oil and gas contracts, coupled with tariffs on Colombian exports, could trigger a chain reaction that jeopardises the UK’s foothold in Latin American energy markets.
Colombia, a key supplier of crude oil and coal to Europe, has seen increasing British involvement in its energy transition. BP and Shell, two of the UK’s largest oil majors, have substantial upstream operations in the country. The Colombian government’s push to diversify away from fossil fuels towards renewables has attracted significant British capital, with projects in wind and solar power receiving financing from UK-based banks and development funds.
Trump’s gambit, however, threatens to unravel this progress. The former president’s insistence on renegotiating contracts more favourable to US drillers could lead to a destabilisation of Colombia’s regulatory framework. A leaked memorandum from the UK Foreign Office warns that such a move might deter additional foreign investment, particularly from nations like China, which has also shown interest in Colombia’s lithium reserves.
The UK’s stake in the region extends beyond financial metrics. Latin America is a critical part of the UK’s post-Brexit trade strategy, with Colombia being a member of the Pacific Alliance bloc. Any disruption to bilateral relations could complicate the UK’s access to critical minerals needed for electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy storage.
“The timing could not be worse,” said Dr. Maria Santos, an energy economist at Chatham House. “Colombia is in the midst of a delicate energy transition. UK companies are poised to help, but if Trump’s pressure forces a reversion to extractive oil policies, that transition stalls, and British firms could be left holding stranded assets.”
There is precedent for concern. In 2018, the Trump administration imposed sanctions on Venezuela’s oil industry, which inadvertently impacted European firms operating there. Should a similar scenario unfold in Colombia, BP and Shell could face operational hurdles, potential nationalisation risks, or contract renegotiations that erode profit margins.
The UK Foreign Office has so far remained circumspect, stating only that it “monitors developments closely” and “stands ready to protect British interests.” However, sources close to the negotiations indicate that British diplomats have expressed concern privately to US counterparts.
Colombia’s government, under President Gustavo Petro, has already signalled its intention to wean the country off fossil fuels. The current geopolitical pressure from Washington may paradoxically accelerate that shift, but with a preference for Chinese technology and financing. China has already signed multiple agreements to develop solar farms and copper mines in Colombia, positioning itself as an alternative partner.
For British energy firms, the calculus is complex. On one hand, Trump’s heavy-handed approach might create a short-term opening for oil extraction, but the long-term reputational and regulatory risks are high. On the other hand, pivoting fully to renewables with Chinese competitors could see UK companies locked out of key supply chains.
The situation remains fluid, but one thing is clear: the UK’s energy interests in Latin America are now directly entangled in the crossfire of US political ambitions. If the gamble fails, the cost will be measured not just in lost profits, but in missed climate targets and weakened geopolitical influence.
As the planet continues to warm, every strategic miscalculation in energy policy compounds the challenge of decarbonisation. This is not merely a trade dispute. It is a test of whether nations can cooperate on the energy transition, or if political gamesmanship will prevail. For science and climate correspondents like myself, the data lines are unmistakable. The window for action is shrinking. And this time, the stakes involve not just barrels of oil, but the ability to shift an entire continent away from fossil fuels.
