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Image Credit - Global News[/caption]On Wednesday, Colombia’s wave of anti-government protests entered the fourth week, like the unions, student groups, and others turned out at marches to demand social change amid the intermittent talks between the strike organizers, and the government.
The protests have been marked by violence caused by both the civilians and the police. The attorney general’s office has confirmed 15 deaths so far connected to the protests, while one human rights group has tallied over 40.
Earlier this week President Ivan Duque had ordered the clearance of road blockades around the country, which have further caused shortages of food, and gasoline.
The demonstrations had initially originated in late April against a now-canceled tax plan and have now expanded to include demands like an end to police violence, a basic income, and opportunities for young people.
On Wednesday, a health reform that is also opposed by many protesters, which had further been criticized as too vague to make real change to Colombia’s fragile healthcare system was shelved by a joint congressional committee.
The mayor’s office estimated that approximately 8000 people had attended the protests in the capital Bogota. It also added that all the demonstrations were peaceful but also urged the people to begin journeys home by 4 pm.
During lunchtime, hundreds gathered in Bogota’s Bolivar Plaza.
Lawyer Roberto Hermida, 68 stated that they are accompanying the young people, the children, and the grandchildren who still lack opportunities despite them fighting for so long.
Hermida said that he wanted more educational opportunities and better healthcare facilities to be there.
Luis Carlos Garcia, a 35-year-old teacher while carrying his small son said that Colombia had lost its fear and they will keep until there is real change because if not they shall keep suffering.
Ati Quigua, an Arhuaco indigenous leader of 40 said that she was protesting murders of the human rights activists with 50 members of her community and said that they were on an indefinite strike.
A national strike committee that was formed by student groups, major unions, and others have held several discussions with the government representatives about the protestors' demands but the two sides are not yet holding formal talks.
They are all scheduled to meet together on Thursday morning.
In the meantime, the organizers have vowed that the protests shall continue.
The economic fall-out of the COVID-19 pandemic has rolled recent anti-poverty gains in Columbia, while shuttering businesses, sending unemployment soaring, and also forcing the government to increase its debt load.
The demonstrations and the blockades have cost the country around some #132 million per day, the finance ministry stated.
Moreover, the analysts predict that the protestors may slow Colombia’s recovery from the record economic contraction of about 6.8 percent last year.
