Energy has evolved beyond being a purely technical matter; it is now closely tied to geopolitics, security, competitiveness, and relations between nations.
Within this framework, the Latin American and Caribbean Energy Organization (OLACDE), together with the Institute of International Studies of the University of Chile, launched the third cohort of the 2026 Diploma in Regional Integration and Energy Diplomacy. This program brings together 57 professionals, primarily from foreign ministries, energy ministries, and other public institutions, in 22 countries across the region.
Andrés Rebolledo, OLACDE’s Executive Secretary, emphasized that recent global events have heightened the importance of energy diplomacy and stressed the need to approach energy issues from a broader perspective. “Energy management is multifaceted,” Rebolledo said, noting that it encompasses technical, environmental, and technological aspects, as well as productive transformations, public policy, and geopolitical dynamics.
He also highlighted that the diploma program’s goal is not only to impart knowledge but also to foster regional networks, share experiences, and build understanding of the diverse energy realities across Latin America and the Caribbean.
Connecting countries beyond electrical systems
In his opening remarks, Rodrigo Rodríguez, Panama’s Secretary of Energy, noted that energy today is essential for competitiveness, security, social development, and cooperation. “Energy diplomacy acts as a strategic tool for strengthening regional relations, facilitating dialogue, and creating joint solutions,” he stressed.
Rodríguez cited the future Panama-Colombia electrical interconnection project as an example; a project that will span approximately 500 kilometers with an estimated exchange capacity of 400 MW. This initiative has the potential to become a strategic link between the Central American and South American electricity markets. However, he warned that infrastructure alone does not guarantee genuine integration. It is also necessary to harmonize existing regulations, establish appropriate agreements, and address environmental and social dimensions to ensure that communities benefit.
Gloria Alvarenga, Director of Integration, Access and Energy Security at OLACDE, emphasized that the program’s purpose is to cultivate a comprehensive perspective that allows participants to return to their respective countries equipped with more effective tools to strengthen their national energy agendas.
Ricardo Gamboa, Deputy Director of the Institute of International Studies of the University of Chile, highlighted the unique value of bringing together professionals from different institutions in 22 countries, allowing academic learning to be complemented by enriching regional exchange.
A particularly notable aspect of this third cohort is its gender balance: half of the enrolled professionals are women. This participation reflects OLACDE’s commitment to promoting gender equity, strengthening inclusion, and creating greater opportunities for more women to contribute to public policy formulation, regional integration, and the strategic decision-making that will shape the region’s energy future.
With this third cohort of the diploma program described above, OLACDE and the University of Chile reinforce a regional training space designed to prepare professionals capable of both understanding and managing an increasingly evident reality: in today’s new global context, energy is also shaped through diplomatic approaches.
