César Eduardo Loza Arenas, president of the Unión Sindical Obrera (USO), was elected as the workers' representative on Ecopetrol's board of directors, marking the first time a union leader holds such a position. This appointment fills the eighth seat following the departures of Mónica de Greiff and Guillermo García Realpe, with the next assembly in March set to decide the ninth member.
The appointment of César Eduardo Loza Arenas as the eighth member of Ecopetrol's board of directors marks a milestone for the Unión Sindical Obrera (USO), entering this body of the state oil company for the first time. According to Ecopetrol's official statement, 'the workers of Ecopetrol elected as the nominee for the 7th slot of the Nation's Slate of candidates for the Board of Directors of Ecopetrol S.A. Mr. Cesar Eduardo Loza Arenas', in accordance with the social statutes.
This election follows vacancies created by the departures of Mónica de Greiff and Guillermo García Realpe, aligning with the November Shareholders' General Assembly's decision to include a worker representative for the first time. The USO highlights Loza's commitment to defending the oil industry, jobs, and workers' rights, particularly on issues like the future of the Permian business in the United States.
The current board includes Ángela María Robledo (independent, since March 23, 2024), Tatiana Roa (non-independent, since March 26, 2024), Álvaro Torres (independent, since March 27, 2024), Alberto José Merlano (non-independent, since March 29, 2025), Hildebrando Vélez (non-independent, since March 29, 2025), Ricardo Rodríguez (independent, since March 29, 2025), and Luis Felipe Henao Cardona (independent, since March 31, 2025). Ecopetrol's president, Ricardo Roa, stated: 'I have promoted and carried out all necessary tasks to ensure the presence of one of our collaborators on the Board of Directors of Ecopetrol'.
For the ninth seat, the government proposes Juan Gonzalo Castaño Valderrama, author of the Permian report used by President Gustavo Petro, and Carolina Arias, an academic with experience in the Ministry of Environment. Their entry could lead to the exit of a current member. During the election process, Mines and Energy Minister Edwin Palma alleged possible irregularities, but Roa assured it was conducted transparently without administration interference, and he abstained from voting.
The next Ordinary General Assembly in March will decide this final vacancy, at a key moment for Ecopetrol's governance.
