Violent protests erupt in the streets of Colombia as a response to economic unrest

Ongoing protests in Colombia began on April 28th because of a tax reform demanding an increase in income tax proposed by the country’s President, Iván Duque. Although it was designed to fund COVID relief programs in the country, lower and middle-income workers who pay income taxes in the country were opposed to making this investment. Unions and opponents of President Duque’s plans successfully forced the government to withdraw the project. Nevertheless, citizens continue protesting in the streets of the capital city of Bogotá and other major cities in the country, with the government’s armed forces attacking the protesters.

A demonstrator holds a sign reading "They are killing us" during a protest against poverty and police violence, in Bogota, Colombia on May 4, 2021. © REUTERS/Nathalia Angarita

Not only did the government propose an explicitly right-winged tax reform proposal, yet another controversial legislative bill (“Bill 010”) was proposed to reform the healthcare system in Colombia, designed to further privatise the industry. Given the context of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the reform fueled discontent among Colombian citizens. In response, citizens organized a national labor strike to oppose the recent reforms, as well as other major issues that Colombian citizens claim to have been caused by the Duque government. This includes, but is not limited to, an increase in the minimum wage, additional support for small businesses, better representation of racial and indigenous minorities, among.

Many have noted a resemblance between these protests and the 2019-2020 protests, also held against Duque’s government, addressing income inequality, police brutality, corruption, and others. These protests are a clear indication that much of the Colombian population is unhappy and frustrated by the right-wing leader and government that has been in power in their country for nearly three years.

According to Colombia’s human rights ombudsman, at least 42 people were killed by May 12th in near-daily protests. All but one (a member of the armed forces) were civilians, the ombudsman's office said. Protest leaders and protesters have observed and strongly opposed the violent acts of the government. Student leader Jenifer Pedreza, one of the many activists guiding the protests, even accused the government of being "complacent about the excessive use of public force" (France24). Despite international organizations such as the United Nations, the European Union, and the Organization of American States (OAS) having denounced the excessive use of force by law enforcement agencies during these demonstrations, the government’s troops keep injuring innocent and peaceful protesters in the streets.

The scenes in Colombia are yet another example of violence in response to a growing trend of economic catastrophes in the South American region. While most protests are sparked by the government’s insufficiency to aid the citizens with the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of these protests are indications of deep rooted problems in each country, as is in the case of Colombia. Nevertheless, it is essential to remember that governments across Latin America are short of funds, people are short of patience, and the ongoing pandemic is continuing to exacerbate the desperate situation.

Anika. S

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