GeoPark informed the public of a regrettable incident that occurred last Thursday, June 27, in Tauramena during the development of the dialogue tables led by the Government of Casanare and the Mayors of Tauramena and Villanueva.
In the space where representatives of companies from the department, as well as authorities and communities, participated, an attempt was made to physically attack a GeoPark official by some people who were present at the event. Additionally, a small group of people expressed their intention to resort to de facto measures against GeoPark’s operations if contracts were not directly awarded to a local goods and services company, as an illegitimate mechanism of coercion for the Company.
The Company categorically rejects any attempt or act of violence that threatens the rights, integrity and well-being of any person, as well as any conduct that is contrary to the principles of free competition and affects other commercial agreements between GeoPark and local companies. Given this situation, GeoPark will take legal action before the competent authorities to prevent the repetition of such events in spaces intended for dialogue and conciliation, in which mutual respect, the integrity of people and compliance with the law must be preserved without exception.
At the same time, the Company informs that it will not participate in dialogue spaces until adequate conditions are guaranteed for a safe environment conducive to respect for the right to peaceful participation of all people.
In the coming days, GeoPark will hold meetings with representatives of the Casanare Governorate, the Mayors of Villanueva and Tauramena, and all the relevant authorities in order to agree on the guarantees that all participants in these meetings must have.
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