Ivan Duque is the least known president of Colombia: Poll | Human Rights News

The pressure on Duque has intensified in recent weeks amid widespread protests against the government.

Colombian leader Ivan Duque, who has been the subject of numerous anti-government protests in recent weeks, has become the country’s most unusual president, according to a new poll.

According to a survey of 1,200 people by the Invamer pollster, 76% of respondents did not condemn the right-wing politician’s performance as president – compared to 59 percent in February.

The appalling assessment on Tuesday surpassed the previous 74 percent condemnation mark set by conservative Andres Pastrana, who was president from 1998 to 2002 and led peace negotiations with left-wing fighters.

Duque’s popularity has declined since social unrest broke out in late April, early a now abandoned tax reform plan.

Protests have since spread with the withdrawal of a health reform proposal, an end to widespread violence in the country and steps to resolve economic inequality.

Repression by security forces has left dozens dead, although the exact amount is unclear. Officially, 43 people have been killed in riots since anti-government protests began.

The Invamer poll also found that 89% of Colombians support the protests that shake the country and 56% have a negative opinion of the police.

Protests have continued unabated after the president withdrew his controversial tax reform plan [Joaquin Sarmiento/AFP]

However, 60 per cent rejected the roadblocks imposed by some protesters, and 61 per cent joined the deployment of the army to combat vandalism.

Repression against the protests has garnered international condemnation, although the Duke has blamed armed groups for much of the violence.

Last week, former President Juan Manuel Santos and Nobel Peace Prize winner asked Duque to be held accountable for police abuses.

“We need more gestures, we need more empathy and humility, and for the state to acknowledge,‘ Look, we have committed abuses, ’” Santos told W Radio.