Colombia: Protesters sceptical of Duque’s call for dialogue
5 years, 1 month ago

Colombia: Protesters sceptical of Duque’s call for dialogue

Al Jazeera  

Many protesters say Duque’s call for talks is too little too late as discontent grows with right-wing government. Bogota, Colombia – Protesters in Bogota have expressed scepticism over President Ivan Duque‘s call for “national dialogue” to quell the demonstrations that have rocked Colombia since last week. “They’re not going to negotiate with us,” said Hector Paez, a 60-year-old university professor who was among hundreds gathered in the city centre of Plaza Bolivar on Sunday evening. “To continue doing what they’ve always done.” Colombia’s so-dubbed “Paro Nacional”, or “National Strike”, was announced in early October by labour unions protesting rumoured labour reforms. “We’re tired of the same.” ‘A path that won’t end well’ While Duque said he hoped to “unite Colombia”, few details were provided on how it would happen.

Colombia Cruz Protesters Paez Duque  protesters  colombia  indigenous  dialogue  young  duques  continue  president  talks  duque  sceptical  rightwing  protests

History of this topic

Calls for ceasefire at start of latest Colombia-ELN peace talks
1 year, 8 months ago

Calls for ceasefire at start of latest Colombia-ELN peace talks

Al Jazeera  

Peace talks between the rebel group and the Colombian government have entered their third round of negotiations in Cuba. Colombia’s government and the left-wing National Liberation Army rebel group have begun their latest round of peace talks, with both sides saying they hope to reach a ceasefire agreement. Speaking on Tuesday from Madrid, Spain, Colombian President Gustavo Petro — a …

Colombia, ELN rebels hail progress in second round of peace talks
1 year, 10 months ago

Colombia, ELN rebels hail progress in second round of peace talks

Al Jazeera  

ELN official says two sides took ‘first steps’ towards a temporary ceasefire as negotiations in Mexico City conclude. Colombia’s government and the left-wing National Liberation Army rebel group have hailed progress in their efforts to end decades of armed conflict in the South American nation, as a second round of peace talks concluded in Mexico City. “We took the first …

More protests in Colombia as government unveils new tax plan
3 years, 5 months ago

More protests in Colombia as government unveils new tax plan

Associated Press  

BOGOTA, Colombia — Protests against poverty and inequality resumed on Colombia’s independence day Tuesday as President Ivan Duque presented a $4 billion tax plan aimed at helping the government pay for social programs and pandemic-related expenses. Thousands joined in marches in Colombia’s main cities while Duque outlined to congress his government’s achievements and presented a tax plan for financing subsidies …

Can protesters in Colombia win change?
3 years, 6 months ago

Can protesters in Colombia win change?

Al Jazeera  

On Tuesday, July 6 at 19:30 GMT: Protesters are still regularly taking to the streets of cities and towns across Colombia, more than two months after thousands of demonstrators began calling for widespread economic and social change. Protesters are also demanding major reforms to the police, which Human Rights Watch says has committed “egregious abuses” in a crackdown on the …

Violent protests erupt in Colombia anew over ‘egregious abuses’
3 years, 6 months ago

Violent protests erupt in Colombia anew over ‘egregious abuses’

Al Jazeera  

Anti-government protesters and police traded blows in demonstrations across Colombia that marked two months of unrest in which more than 60 people have died. Colombia has been rocked by protests since April, following opposition to a proposed tax hike that morphed into a mass movement against the right-wing administration of President Ivan Duque. In the capital, Bogota, dozens drew silhouettes …

Protesters in Colombia turn to town hall meetings for solutions
3 years, 6 months ago

Protesters in Colombia turn to town hall meetings for solutions

Al Jazeera  

Lack of progress at the national level has spurred Colombians to look to local officials to address their social concerns. “The people are waking up,” said a 25-year-old protest leader and university student, known as Soldier, during a recent town hall meeting at the Puerto Resistencia blockade. “This is one of those rare instances where there’s a sense that it …

Colombia protest leaders suspending weekly demonstrations
3 years, 6 months ago

Colombia protest leaders suspending weekly demonstrations

Al Jazeera  

A spokesman for the national strike committee says the fight for better social and economic policies will continue. National strike committee spokesman Francisco Maltes said on Tuesday that the umbrella group of workers’ unions, student organisations and others had decided to “temporarily” pause the protests that have taken place on Wednesdays. “Protest in Colombia will continue because the reasons behind …

Colombia to ‘modernise’ police after protest violence criticism
3 years, 7 months ago

Colombia to ‘modernise’ police after protest violence criticism

Al Jazeera  

Security forces in Colombia have been accused of using excessive force during nationwide anti-government protests. Colombian President Ivan Duque has announced plans to “modernise” the country’s police force, including providing human rights training and increased oversight for officers, as his government faces criticism over the use of force against protesters. During a ceremony to celebrate police promotions on Sunday, Duque …

Protesters back on the streets of Colombia amid stalled talks
3 years, 7 months ago

Protesters back on the streets of Colombia amid stalled talks

Al Jazeera  

Thousands are protesting across Colombia to demand a basic income, more opportunities for youth and an end to police violence. Mass demonstrations were sparked at the end of April against a now-withdrawn tax reform proposed by President Ivan Duque‘s government, but they have continued with protesters now demanding a basic income, opportunities for young people, and an end to police …

EXPLAINER: Why are people protesting across Colombia?
3 years, 8 months ago

EXPLAINER: Why are people protesting across Colombia?

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The military has sometimes joined police since Duque on …

Colombia’s Duque seeks to calm protest as grievances fester
3 years, 8 months ago

Colombia’s Duque seeks to calm protest as grievances fester

Al Jazeera  

Protest groups are sceptical of dialogue with embattled president saying similar talks accomplished little after 2019 demonstrations. “We had a productive meeting with the coalition of hope, a great opportunity for dialogue, overcoming differences and without political point-scoring,” Duque wrote on social media on Friday, referring to the group of politicians. The group “entered talks with President Ivan Duque as …

Colombia’s protests, explained
3 years, 8 months ago

Colombia’s protests, explained

CNN  

CNN — More than a week of violent protests across Colombia have seen least 25 people killed and hundreds injured, prompting statements of concern from the US government and the European Union. Fueled by frustration over Covid-19’s crushing economic pain and exacerbated by a heavy-handed police response, the upheaval has reached 247 cities and towns, according to Colombia Interior Minister …

Colombia’s bloody protests could be a warning to the region
3 years, 8 months ago

Colombia’s bloody protests could be a warning to the region

CNN  

CNN — Tensions have hardly dissipated in Colombia after President Ivan Duque withdrew a controversial fiscal reform proposal this weekend. Thousands of people are still taking to the streets to protest against police brutality and the economic cost of the pandemic amid Colombia’s extreme inequality. And with both issues common across South America – and exacerbated by the pandemic – …

Colombia protests continue after government withdraws tax reform
3 years, 8 months ago

Colombia protests continue after government withdraws tax reform

Al Jazeera  

Colombia’s finance minister has resigned, but experts say public anger goes beyond the widely-decried tax proposal. “The fact that the tax reform stood little chance of being approved in the Congress, combined with the growing unruliness of the protests and domestic and international condemnation of widespread police brutality, likely factored into the president’s decision.” In a local media interview last …

‘The fight continues’: Colombia protests persist despite pandemic
4 years, 1 month ago

‘The fight continues’: Colombia protests persist despite pandemic

Al Jazeera  

Bogota, Colombia – Hundreds of people gathered at a street corner in downtown Bogota on Monday to commemorate the anniversary of Dilan Cruz’s death. Throughout the vigil, the mostly young crowd chanted: “Dilan didn’t die, Dilan was killed!” The killing of Cruz, who was shot with a projectile by riot police at close range, fuelled Colombia’s burgeoning anti-government protests in …

Colombia protests: What prompted them and where are they headed?
5 years, 1 month ago

Colombia protests: What prompted them and where are they headed?

Al Jazeera  

Discontent over inequality, education, Duque’s slow implementation of the 2016 peace deal has been simmering for months. Protester Jonathan Ramirez said: “Colombia is tired of injustice, bad governance and social inequality.” The 34-year-old told Al Jazeera: “Colombia is our life, our home and we’re ruining it”. Duque has so far offered to hold a “national dialogue” with “all social sectors” …

Colombia opens ‘national dialogue’ after days of mass protests
5 years, 1 month ago

Colombia opens ‘national dialogue’ after days of mass protests

Al Jazeera  

Demonstrators slam President Duque’s initiative, saying his government did not address demands of protesters. Colombia’s President Ivan Duque has opened a “National Dialogue” that he said will include citizens from all walks of life after days of massive protests rattled the government in the Latin American country. “This National Dialogue will result in long-term policies, and to accelerate the effectiveness …

‘Referendum on Duque’: Thousands march against Colombia president
5 years, 1 month ago

‘Referendum on Duque’: Thousands march against Colombia president

Al Jazeera  

Bogota, Colombia – Hundreds of thousands of protesters marched through the dense city streets of Bogota and other cities across Colombia on Thursday as the country joined a wave of others in South America experiencing anti-government demonstrations. “I’m so scared because I have kids.” Civil society groups opposing economic reforms by Duque’s right-wing government announced the strike last month. “It’s …

Discover Related