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Protests in Colombia

By Kirsten Wheeler

Despite lockdown restrictions, thousands of Colombians enter their third week of protests, demonstrating their unwavering rage towards the Colombian government.

These protests began on April 28 when President Iván Duque imposed a tax increase, which caused outrage from the public. Due to the pandemic, a lot of financial strain has been placed upon the country and its residents, leading to the fear that increased taxes would rub salt in the wound for many, especially for Indigenous and Afro-Latino people.

The economic disparities being placed on these groups due to the tax reform uncovered disdain from a history of economic inequality among these groups, further propelling the protests and rage.

On May 1, Duque repealed the tax reform. This, however, was not enough to quell the anger of protesters on the streets as the issue with the reform evolved into an issue over human rights and overall dissatisfaction with the Colombian government.

As the protests persisted the police got involved to dispel the crowds, leading to increased violence in a clash between police and protesters. Reports of police violence resulted in the public’s already seething anger reaching a boiling point and for violence to reach a greater degree. As of now there have been over over 40 deaths and hundreds more injuries over the course of the protests and altercations.

The government has since responded by deploying the military onto the protesters, meanwhile protesters have not let up. Roadblocks have been created in the streets as the conflict continues, blocking medical and food distribution.

Some Colombians have taken to TikTok to express their concern over the situation and urging viewers to share to spread the word. Such TikToks have cited the government’s threat to shutting off internet and phone services to prevent long distance contact as the ceaseless conflict rages on.