Latin America and the Caribbean are at a strategic crossroads as the region seeks to consolidate its role in the emerging global energy landscape, shaped by geopolitical tensions, technological advances, and growing demand for energy security and decarbonization.
During his participation in the 47th International Conference of the International Association for Energy Economics (IAEE), held in Santiago, Rebolledo moderated a plenary session entitled “Energy Economics and Geopolitics: Latin America and the Caribbean in a Changing World,” co-organized with OLACDE. The session brought together regional energy leaders to discuss the key challenges and opportunities arising from ongoing transformations in international energy markets.
The Executive Secretary highlighted that geopolitics is playing an increasingly significant role in energy decision-making at a time when the sector is undergoing an unprecedented transformation. In this context, he stressed that energy has become critical not only to economic development, but also to enhancing competitiveness and achieving climate goals.
Rebolledo also noted that the transition toward sustainable energy sources extends far beyond electricity generation, encompassing sectors such as transportation, industry, and households. This transformation is reshaping both energy production and consumption patterns while rapidly accelerating the adoption of new technologies.
Against this backdrop, he highlighted the competitive advantages of Latin America and the Caribbean, driven by the region’s high share of renewable energy and its abundance of strategic energy resources. These conditions could further strengthen the region’s role in the global energy transition.
Rebolledo also underscored the importance of advancing regional energy integration. OLACDE brings together 27 countries with the aim of promoting cooperation, producing relevant technical information, and supporting public policy decision-making, with regional integration at the core of its mission.
The panel featured senior government officials, including Ricardo Bienvenido Guerrero Encarnación, Vice Minister of Energy of the Dominican Republic; Mauricio Bejarano, Vice Minister of Mines and Energy and Director of Alternative Energy of Paraguay; and Diana Lizzette Solís Paz, Undersecretary for Renewable Energy and Electricity of Honduras.
During the conference, OLACDE also hosted an information booth where participants learned more about the Organization’s work and its role in the regional energy landscape, further strengthening cooperation, integration, and capacity building among its 27 Member Countries.
