The price of weakness: Hydrocarbon looting and the erosion of the Colombian state

This article examines the vulnerability of Colombia's hydrocarbon sector to looting, which fuels criminal economies and impacts the industry. It argues that the institutional weakness of the Colombian state fosters a series of moral hazards in which actors from public institutions, private companies, armed groups, and local communities exploit systemic failures for opportunistic gains. These dynamics undermine state legitimacy, fuel public distrust, and perpetuate cycles of insecurity and criminality in affected regions. This study employs a qualitative approach, drawing on semi-structured interviews with key actors, to analyze the effects of fragmented authority and the outsourcing of responsibilities. The findings underscore the urgent need for innovative policy interventions to improve regulatory frameworks and adapt governance mechanisms in contexts of institutional fragility.