Colombia gives police greater power to break up street protests
The new protocols let police move faster against vandalism and roadblocks, while critics warn they could widen the use of force.
- On Wednesday, tens of thousands marched through Bogota and other major Colombian cities to protest the far-right government of Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella, two months after he took office.
- Ahead of the protests, de la Espriella signed Decree 1525 modifying police action protocols, while his administration advanced austerity measures to address a projected 9.4% fiscal shortfall.
- Demonstrators, including supporters of former President Gustavo Petro, opposed labor policy changes and Colombia's reopening of its embassy in Jerusalem, reversing Petro's decision to sever ties with Israel.
- Operational changes to the transport network affected 200,538 passengers, as de la Espriella dismissed the movement's organizers as "instigators of evil" who seek to cause chaos.
- Organizers planned the marches as a test run for a larger "national strike" set for November, even as the government opened talks with the IMF to stabilize the economy.
118 Articles
118 Articles
VIDEO - At the appeal of the opposition led by the former left-wing president, Gustavo Petro, trade unions, indigenous communities, students and feminist organizations marched in several cities in the South American country.
Teachers, trade unions, students, and the Pacto Histórico (Historical Pact), the party of former President Gustavo Petro, were on the street on Wednesday 14 October throughout the country. Protesters protested the plans of reform of the new far-right president Abelardo de la Espriella, particularly regarding education, health and the environment, two months after his arrival in power.
It was the first fight and one could say it ended in a technical tie. Gustavo Petro failed to attract on Wednesday the millions of citizens he announced, but...
Colombia’s president orders crackdown on national protests as US Reaper drones arrive and IMF cuts loom
Hours before the first national protests against his government, Colombia’s far-right president loosened restraints on the police, as US attack drones arrive and IMF-backed cuts are prepared.
Unions, indigenous communities, students and feminist organizations marched in several Colombian cities on Wednesday to denounce the policies of Abelardo de la Espriella, as well as the restoration of diplomatic relations with Israel "Abelardo hates us", "For the future of the country": thousands of people demonstrated in Colombia on Wednesday against the policies of the hard right-wing president Abelardo de la Espriella, on the occasion of the …
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