BOGOTA: Tens of thousands of Colombians marched on Sunday to reject economic and social reforms being proposed by the leftist government of President
Gustavo Petro, the latest in a series of demonstrations against Petro’s policies.
The reforms, which Petro says will fight deep inequality but which opponents say will damage the country’s already-struggling economy, were key campaign promises for the 64-year-old leader, who took office in 2022.
Despite gray skies and rain, some 70,000 people marched in Bogota, the capital, according to city government estimates, chanting “out with Petro,” waving national flags and blowing on trumpets before gathering in the central Bolivar Square.
BREAKING:
Massive street protests are taking place nationwide in Colombia against the far-left antisemitic President Gustavo Petro
The streets are full of people chanting #FueraPetro (Petro Out)
The economy is sluggish and energy prices are soaring
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) April 21, 2024
The march comes after a Senate committee earlier this month rejected a proposed health reform aimed at stripping power from insurers and expanding access to healthcare, as the government took control of two major insurers it said had failed to
correctly care for patients.
The government is expected to propose a new version of the health reform once the new legislative session begins in July. Pension and labor reforms are still being debated by lawmakers.
“This government’s policies are dire. The health system, despite its flaws, was working and now Petro is putting an end to it by plunging patients who have no healthcare or medicine
into a crisis,” said Monica Leon, a 45-year-old doctor.
Accountant Miguel Angel Larrota, 52, said he was protesting against bad governance and demanding that Petro “not destroy what works and put an end to the corruption he promised to
fight.”
Paloma Valencia, a senator from the opposition Democratic Center, a conservative political party founded by former President Alvaro Uribe, said the march was bringing together not
only opponents but people who voted for Petro two years ago.
People also took to the streets in the city of Medellin and in Cali, near the Pacific coast.
Marches have also previously taken place in support of Petro’s reforms.
(REUTERS)
