Companies in Venezuela, such as “Azul Ambientalistas,” have condemned the daily leakage of over 1,000 barrels of crude oil in Lake Maracaibo and warned of further spills in different areas, according to Spanish newspaper “El País.”
The newspaper reported that the state-owned oil company, Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), announced the start of cleaning operations in Lake Maracaibo, the country’s largest lake, which has been affected by recent oil spills in the state of Zulia. The area is known for its significant hydrocarbon reserves.
The company, through its Instagram account, indicated that it is conducting crude oil cleaning operations along the shores of Maracaibo, accompanied by some photos showing the commencement of the cleaning process.
The Venezuelan company has not provided any information about the scale of the recent oil spills that activists have condemned in recent days. Activists are urging the government to address the current situation, as these spills are causing harm to marine life, tourism, and people’s health.
Activist José Sandoval stated, “A state of emergency must be declared in any part of the world facing this crisis.”
Venezuela, which possesses the world’s largest proven oil reserves, has witnessed a decline in oil production in recent years, while reports of oil leaks in Lake Maracaibo and other parts of the country have increased.
According to the Environmental Political Observatory (OEP 86), Venezuela experienced 86 oil spills in 2022. However, it is likely that the actual number, as observed by social media and independent researcher Elsa Gabriela Rodríguez, is significantly higher since the organization’s report relies solely on media monitoring and social networks.
