The state-run Colombian Oil Company Ecopetrol has announced the discovery of substantial deposits of oil and possibly natural gas at the Gibraltar 1 drill site near the indigenous lands of the U’wa people. This discovery - thought to hold 200 million barrels - comes after the U.S.-based Occidental Petroleum Company, under heavy pressure from protests, gave up drilling in the area, saying it would be unprofitable. The U’wa number around 7,000 in 17 communities, and have been actively campaigning against any drilling plans on or near their traditional land for years. The U’wa have told the government that they reject the new drilling plan.
