Five consecutive days of mobilization is unheard of in Colombia. Monday, November 25, in Bogota, there were still thousands to demonstrate to protest, including, against police violence. The call for a great "national conversation", launched on Friday 22 April by Ivan Duque "To accelerate the timetable of social reforms that the country needs"was not enough to silence the street. Recalling that "The government has not yet brought any solution to the causes of the mobilization", the country's largest union, the Unitary Workers' Central, called for its prosecution.
Announced late in the evening, the death of a young man who was demonstrating peacefully in the center of Bogota should sharpen the anger of the protesters. Dilan Cruz, 18, was wounded on Saturday at close range by a grenade. On social networks, it became in a few hours the symbol of abuse of police repression.
Three people had been killed previously during clashes with the police. Part of the opposition is now demanding the dissolution of the riot police. The government has indicated that the subject is not part of the great national debate. "How can President Ivan Duque dare to speak of dialogue if he intends to fix the content? " says Melissa, a 21-year-old student.
Protesters denounce a president "Incapable", "Disconnected from the people", "Completely manipulated by former president Alvaro Uribe". After sixteen months of power, the head of state breaks records of unpopularity (a recent poll credited with 69% negative opinions), while Uribe was indicted for bribing witnesses. Their party, the Democratic Center, came out very weakened from the local elections of October 20th.
There are little sentences that mark the mandate of a head of state. When asked by a journalist in early November about a military bombardment that caused the deaths of several teenagers, Mr. Duque replied with disdain: "What are you talking to me about, old man? " At the head of one of the parades students who parade Monday evening, a huge banner bore the inscription: "We're still talking to you, old boy. "
"Very unequal country"
"They talk, but nobody understands what they want," an onlooker becomes angry as he watches the procession pass. It is true that the protesters' demands are diverse. The unions had originally called for a national mobilization on November 21, to protest against a proposed reform of labor law and the pension system. But the death of adolescents has made the defense of peace the main topic of mobilization.
