Colombian billionaire Jaime Gilinski and his son, Gabriel Gilinski, have invested $107 million in GeoPark Ltd., a Latin American oil and gas producer, as a strategic move to enter the Venezuelan petroleum sector, according to announcements made on March 6, 2026.
The investment, executed through Colden Investments S.A., an affiliate of the Gilinski Group, secures approximately 20% of GeoPark’s outstanding ordinary shares – 12,876,053 new shares at $8.31 per share – making the Gilinski Group the company’s largest shareholder. Gabriel Gilinski stated the investment was agreed upon with GeoPark’s board of directors to support the company’s growth and regional expansion, particularly highlighting Venezuela’s potential.
“The opportunity for GeoPark is to be able to penetrate and grow in Venezuela,” Gabriel Gilinski said, as reported by Portafolio. He noted Venezuela’s historical production capacity, having once reached over 3 million barrels per day.
The Gilinski Group’s entry into the energy sector marks a significant diversification for the conglomerate, traditionally focused on financial investments. Jaime Gilinski indicated that expansion throughout Latin America, including Venezuela and Argentina, is a key objective, citing the region’s substantial energy potential. He emphasized, however, that realizing this potential requires substantial investment and capital.
The transaction is described as a private investment in public equity. GeoPark, which trades on the New York Stock Exchange, has been in operation for two decades. The Gilinski investment provides the group with the opportunity to nominate representatives to GeoPark’s board of directors, potentially influencing the company’s strategic decisions.
Analysts suggest the move reflects the Gilinski Group’s willingness to evaluate opportunities in energy markets requiring investment, particularly Venezuela, where production has fluctuated in recent years despite its considerable resources. The investment is intended to support and enable GeoPark’s growth, according to a statement from the Gilinski Group.
