Status: 07/21/2021 10:42 am
Thousands of Colombians took to the streets again against the right-wing government of President Duque. Among other things, they are calling for a police reform and better medical care.
Protests against the right-wing government of President Ivan Duque have risen again in numerous cities in Colombia. The demonstrators called, among other things, for a profound reform of the security forces in order to avoid police violence in the future. They also called for social improvements and investments in the country’s education and health system. Trade unions demanded a kind of basic income for poorer sections of the population in order to get through the corona pandemic.
Riots and arrests
Clashes between security forces and demonstrators broke out in some cities. At least 22 people were arrested, according to police, and 21 police officers were injured.
The America director of Amnesty International, Erika Guevara-Rosas, reported on indications of the use of dangerous ammunition and excessive violence by the special task force ESMAD against demonstrators in the cities of Bogota, Cali and Medellin.
New plan for tax reform
Meanwhile, the Colombian government has introduced a new tax reform project to parliament. “The social investment law we are about to introduce is the result of a consensus,” President Duque wrote on Twitter. It lays the foundation for reaching the most vulnerable and providing young people with employment and educational opportunities.
The tax reform aims to fund subsidies for low-income families who were out of work during the coronavirus pandemic. The plan is smaller than a draft that was presented in April. This triggered huge protests in which dozens of people were killed.
“None of the problems solved”
Protesters today argue that the new plan does not contain enough for education and job creation. “The protests continue because President Duque has not solved any of the problems facing Colombian society,” said union president Francisco Maltes.
Colombia suffers from violence, poverty and great social inequality. The unemployment rate reached 15.6 percent in May, a total of 3.8 million people were unemployed. Young people in particular have the feeling that they have no future.