Colombia's largest oil workers union has abandoned its strike threat following the removal of Ecopetrol SA's chief executive officer after a board decision. The union had been preparing to walk off the job in a dispute that threatened to disrupt operations at the state-owned oil giant, which produces about one-third of Colombia's crude oil.

The sudden leadership change came after mounting pressure from labor groups and political factions critical of the company's management. Ecopetrol, Latin America's largest oil company by market value, had been facing internal tensions over production targets and investment strategies. The CEO's departure effectively defused the immediate labor crisis.

With the strike threat lifted, Ecopetrol's operations can continue without interruption, providing stability to Colombia's oil sector. The resolution highlights the significant influence of labor unions in Colombia's state-owned enterprises and the delicate balance between corporate management and worker demands in the country's strategic industries.