Oil, law and socio-environmental impact: Historical-legal analysis of oil spills in Venezuela (1922–2002)

Abstract

This article analyzes the socio-environmental impact of oil spills in Venezuela between 1922 and 2002, integrating history and law. It begins with "El Reventón" (1922) at the Barroso II well, a massive disaster caused by a lack of technical control, which affected soil, water, and communities. At that time, legislation (the Mining Law of 1909) was in its infancy and did not prioritize ecological protection. The analysis continues to the spills during the 2002–2003 national strike, where infrastructure management problems led to spills in Lake Maracaibo and the Guarapiche River, causing biodiversity loss, harm to fishermen and farmers, and health risks, despite the existence of more robust legislation (the Environmental Criminal Law of 1992). Using a historical-documentary methodology, the study demonstrates the constant tension between oil development, environmental regulations, and their consequent socio-ecological damage in the country.