Crowded demonstrations in Colombia “reflect a deep national crisis” New protests

Demonstrators take to the streets in the fourth week to demand action on poverty, police violence and other issues.

Protests against the government have lasted until the fourth week in Colombia, when groups of students, unions and others took to the streets on Wednesday to demand social change again, amid talks between the government and strike leaders.

About 8,000 people went to the protests in the capital, Bogota, the mayor said.

“We are helping our young people, our children, our grandchildren, who have been struggling for so long despite the lack of opportunities,” 68-year-old lawyer Roberto Hermida told Reuters news agency.

Hermida said she wanted to offer more educational opportunities and better health services.

Protests began Last month, critics of the government of right-wing President Ivan Duque introduced tax reform, saying it would harm workers and the middle class disproportionately, already hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Duke withdrew the proposal, but protests continued as protesters spread withdrawal of their health reform proposal, a list of requests for an end to widespread violence in the country, and a list of steps to address economic inequality.

The protests have been violent, but the exact number of dead is unclear. The Attorney General’s Office has confirmed 15 deaths related to the protests, while a human rights group says there are more than 40.

The Duke has blamed most of the violence on armed groups, however United Nations and several rights groups have condemned Colombian police for “opening fire” on protesters.

On Wednesday, former President Juan Manuel Santos and Nobel Peace Prize laureate asked Duque to be held accountable for the abuses committed by the police.

“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.

The national strike committee, made up of major unions, student groups and others, has had several discussions with government representatives about the protesters ’demands, but the two sides are not yet conducting formal talks.

They hope to meet again with the government on Thursday morning.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth Dickinson, chief analyst at Colombia’s International Crisis Group, said the rallies showed “profound social and economic inequality, frustration with police brutality, widespread distrust of the government”.

Indirectly #Colombia today marks another day of mass mobilization #ParoNacionalColombia deep social and economic inequality, frustration with police brutality, reflecting widespread distrust of the government

Here are some of the trends we are entering on the 21st day of the protests pic.twitter.com/DjAa1lAX5k

– Elizabeth Dickinson (@dickinsonbeth) May 19, 2021

Protesters ’demands fall into two categories, Dickinson said on Twitter: social justice and security – and although the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated both issues, they are historic complaints.

According to data from Johns Hopkins University, a pandemic that has killed more than 82,000 people has exacerbated long-standing economic disparities.

“Protests are everywhere. The demonstrations reflect a deep national crisis that transcends geography. Although the complaints vary by region, a sense of anguish and frustration is shared, ”Dickinson wrote.

“The crisis is critical, deep and needs gravitas that we haven’t seen yet,” he said.