From Production to Consumption: Japan–Latin America Cooperation in Food and Agriculture

Live Now
Linkedin-in Youtube Facebook-f

LATIN AMERICA ADVISOR

LATIN AMERICA ADVISOR

A daily publication Of the dialogue

August 8, 2025

Will Colombia’s Windpeshi Project Get Off the Ground?

Colombian state energy company Ecopetrol plans to invest $350 million at its Windpeshi project in Colombia. Wind turbines in Colombia’s La Guajira department are pictured. // File Photo: b201735 via Adobe Stock.

Q

  • Ecopetrol, Colombia’s state-run energy firm, on July 7 announced it has acquired a wind energy farm in La Guajira department, which Italian utility company Enel had suspended in 2023 amid sustained local protests. Ecopetrol plans to invest $350 million in order to reach full-scale electricity production before the beginning of 2028 at the 205-megawatt-capacity Windpeshi facility in La Guajira department. What factors suggest Ecopetrol could be more successful than Enel in obtaining the consent from local communities needed to complete the Windpeshi project? To what extent does the Windpeshi project’s contentious development reflect broader trends in Colombia’s wind energy sector? What is the most viable path to large-scale wind power production from La Guajira by the end of the decade?

A

Yohir Akerman, president of LATAM region at Guidepost Solutions: “Ecopetrol’s acquisition of a wind energy farm in La Guajira from Italian utility company Enel represents both a strategic bet and a political calculation. The Windpeshi project encapsulates the promise—and the peril—of Colombia’s energy transition. While Ecopetrol may face less resistance than Enel due to its national identity and deeper institutional ties, that alone won’t guarantee success. This institutional familiarity—combined with heightened government pressure to deliver on energy transition goals—may give Ecopetrol more room to negotiate social licenses, particularly through deeper engagement mechanisms that align energy infrastructure with tangible benefits for local communities. However, trust cannot be assumed…”

Top News

Saint-Cyr Becomes Head of Haiti Council
Businessman Laurent Saint-Cyr was sworn in Thursday as leader of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council, which is seeking to stabilize the country and prepare it for elections.
Pemex Planning to Expand Use of Fracking
Mexican state oil company Pemex is planning to expand the use of hydraulic fracturing in order to offset declining oil production.
U.S. Doubles Reward for Maduro’s Arrest to $50 Million
The U.S. government on Thursday doubled its reward for information leading to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to $50 million. U.S. authorities indicted Maduro on federal charges in 2020.

Complete editions of the Latin America Advisor are delivered on a biweekly basis to members of the Dialogue’s Corporate Program and other subscribers. Sign up below for a free complimentary preview subscription.

Subscribe

ABOUT THE LATIN AMERICA ADVISOR

The Inter-American Dialogue publishes the Latin America Advisor every business day for a distinguished membership of informed corporate leaders, scholars, and government officials invested in Latin America’s development and future. The Advisor‘s highly regarded Q&A section covers questions submitted by subscribers themselves. Commentators regularly include heads of state, business leaders, diplomats, economists, analysts, and thought leaders from around the world. Many of the world’s largest and fastest-growing companies subscribe to the Advisor. To subscribe, click here. For terms and conditions, click here. For more information, contact Gene Kuleta, editor of the Advisor, at gkuleta@thedialogue.org.
Energy Advisor
Financial Services Advisor

Subscribers

the-dialogue-subscribers7
the-dialogue-subscribers6
the-dialogue-subscribers5
the-dialogue-subscribers4
the-dialogue-subscribers3
the-dialogue-subscribers2
the-dialogue-subscribers1

Staff

Gene Kuleta
Editor
202.463.2920
gkuleta@thedialogue.org

Jack Quinn
Reporter

jquinn@thedialogue.org

Lori Rampani
Reporter

lrampani@thedialogue.org

Subscribe

board of advisors

Diego Arria
Director,
Columbus Group

Merike Blofield
Professor of Political Science,
University of Hamburg

Devry Boughner Vorwerk
CEO,
DevryBV Sustainable Strategies

Joyce Chang
Global Head of Research,
J.P. Morgan

Marlene Fernández
Corporate Vice President for Gov’t Relations,
Arcos Dorados (McDonald’s)

Peter Hakim
President Emeritus,
Inter-American Dialogue

Donna Hrinak
Director,
Adtalem Global Education

Jon E. Huenemann
Council Member,
GLG Inc.

James R. Jones
Chairman,
Monarch Global Strategies

Craig Kelly
Senior Director,
Int’l Gov’t Relations,
Exxon Mobil

Barbara Kotschwar
Professor of Political Economy,
Georgetown University

John Maisto
Director,
US Education Finance Group

Nicolas Mariscal
Chairman,
Grupo Marhnos

Thomas F. McLarty III
Chairman,
McLarty Associates

Beatrice Rangel
Director,
AMLA Consulting

Ernesto Revilla
Head of Latin American Economics, Citi

Gustavo Roosen
President,
IESA

Andrés Rozental
President, Rozental &
Asociados

Shelly Shetty
Managing Director,
Sovereigns, Fitch

Subscribe To
Latin America Advisors

* indicates required field

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

The Inter-American Dialogue MEXICO Program

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER / SUSCRÍBASE A NUESTRO BOLETÍN:

* indicates required

The Inter-American Dialogue BRAZIL Program

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER / SUSCRÍBASE A NUESTRO BOLETÍN:

* indicates required

The Inter-American Dialogue Education Program

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER / SUSCRÍBASE A NUESTRO BOLETÍN:

* indicates required

Stack of global currencies

Change and Continuity in Money Transfers in 2026