Event Summary
On 7 August 2025, after four days of sustained protest, the National Government, Governor Carlos Amaya, the National Mining Agency (ANM), and sector leaders convened a dialogue table in Paipa, Boyacá. The outcome was a government commitment to an energy transition plan for small-scale coal mining, including tax exemptions, debt relief, royalty reviews, technical follow-up, and access to international markets.
This agreement followed intense and widespread strike that began on 4 August 2025, when small coal miners and peasant producers—mainly of potatoes and onions—blocked strategic roads across Boyacá, including Bogotá–Tunja–Paipa–Sogamoso–Ubaté–Ventaquemada and the Boyacá Bridge. Protesters demanded fulfillment of previous agreements, fair pricing, moorland delimitation, and support in transitioning to sustainable energy practices. Their blockades disrupted transport, canceled a stage of the Tour of Colombia, and caused daily economic losses of up to 6,000 million pesos, with food prices rising over 40% in regions like Valle del Cauca.
This event marks a significant advocacy win for just climate transition activists and socioeconomic rights defenders. The Government’s commitment—announced on following four days of protest reflects a direct response to civil society and advocacy pressure. It signals progress in state responsiveness and openness to civil society engagement. The strike, led by grassroots actors, exposed systemic gaps in economic sustainability and institutional support for rural producers and artisanal miners, reinforcing the critical role of civil society in shaping inclusive energy transition policies.
As mentioned, these demonstrations are part of the discussion around the energy transition that the current Colombian government has been promoting since its National Development Plan.
The October 2024 strike stands out in this area, which led to similar discussions on solutions to the impact that economic sectors receive from the transformations in land use. Agreements related to the just energy transition had already been reached.