In Colombia, protests resumed Tuesday, January 21, two months to the day after it started. The holidays and the long holiday season forced the demonstrators to pause. From the defense of the peace agreement to the fight against social policy of President Ivan Duque, their demands remain multiple.
"Everyone comes with their rage", summarizes Diego Mendez, student, recalling that Colombia is "One of the most unequal and corrupt countries on the continent". Hanging from his belt, a dented pan hangs along his leg. Hitherto unknown in Colombia, the cacerolazos, or casserole concerts, have become the symbol of the protest movement. The daily El Espectador chose a pan as "character of the year 2019".
“The movement started from students who protested the cost of studying in Colombia. The unions have mobilized against the plan to reform pensions and labor law. And then the movement grew to express a general social malaise ", says Johanna Suarez, a social worker, who also came with her pan, "To make Duque's ears suffer".
Diego Mendez continues: "What makes me angry is that Ivan Duque does nothing for the peace of my country. Dozens of leaders and guerrillas who surrendered are murdered, without the government responding. " According to the human rights organization Indepaz, 23 "social leaders" and three former guerrillas have been killed since the start of the year. "More than one a day", sighs Diego.
The term “social leaders” designates the personalities of local life: elected municipal councils, peasants who are fighting to recover their land, environmental activists, human rights defenders. On January 15, the UN Security Council was concerned about the "Serious situation" that the country knows and asked the government to face it.
" Kick-off "
In Bogota, Medellin, Cali, the protests were less intense on Tuesday than before the holidays. " It's normal, explains Guillermo Paez, trade unionist. The universities have not yet returned to school. We chose January 21 to let the government know that the movement that started on November 21 (2019) continues, but it’s never just a kickoff. " In Bogota, the demonstrators were scattered in several processions. The day was punctuated by clashes between the police and the demonstrators. Eight people were injured, including six police officers, and more than 80 were arrested.
