As part of the work of monitoring socio-environmental problems and conflicts in Venezuela, the Observatory of Political Ecology compiled some of the socio-environmental problems reported in the country in the first month of 2024.
Impact of the El Palito refinery spill
2023 ended with a large oil spill originating in the El Palito refinery, in the central Venezuelan state of Carabobo, which covered a surface of 103 km² and contained some 20 thousand barrels of oil, according to estimates by Professor Eduardo Klein.
In early January, traces of oil were reported along the coast of the towns of Choroní and Ocumare de la Costa, Aragua state, even though experts indicate that there is no evidence of a connection with the spill that originated in the refinery.
New spills in January 2024
Reports of new oil spills were collected from the states of Anzoátegui, Falcón and Zulia.
On January 3, a spill was recorded in the Gulf of Coro, in the state of Falcón.
On January 9, satellite images showed the presence of oil slicks along the lake shore in Cabimas, Zulia.
On January 12, residents of Campo Lídice in the Valmore Rodríguez municipality of Zulia reported an oil spill affecting the streets of the community.
Satellite images dated January 20 showed three active oil leaks in the Gulf of Coro, Falcón state. The leaks were still active by January 24, having a serious impact on the living conditions of local fishermen and the people who rely directly or indirectly on fishing in the area.
On January 29, an oil spill in the rural area of the Bolívar municipality in the state of Anzoátegui affected several local water sources and led the residents to complain about the odors emanating from the oil and minor health effects such as itchy eyes. The communities demanded an official statement from the authorities regarding this case.
The impact on local fauna
According to information provided by journalist Rosmina Suárez, who monitors the effects of oil spills in Lake Maracaibo on local fauna, reported that several animals have been rescued by fishermen from El Bajo, including a turtle found covered in oil.
Fires in the oil facilities
In Zulia, a fire broke out in a store facility belonging to the state-run oil company PDVSA in the town of Los Puertos de Altagracia. The facilities are in a state of complete abandonment.
On January 27, journalist Jhorman Cruz reported on social media about a fire that broke out in the Curva del Indio sector of the Valmore Rodríguez municipality of the state of Zulia. The cause of the fire is presumed to be the presence of wasted oil in the area.
All the incidents of early 2024 suggest that Venezuela will very likely continue to suffer the socio-environmental consequences of oil spills and other accidents linked to the ailing national oil industry.
Translated by José Rafael Medina
