Colombia protesters hope to channel wave of discontent

Colombians angry with conservative President Ivan Duque hoped to channel Latin America’s wave of discontent as they took to the streets by the tens of thousands on Thursday with a long list of grievances, from persistent economic inequality to violence against social activists.

Students, teachers and labour union organisers took part in protests across the country in what appeared to be one of the nation’s biggest demonstrations in recent years, testing an unpopular government as unrest grips the region.

“It’s about time,” said Julio Contreras, 23, a medical student. “No more of the same — lies, corruption. We’re here to put up a fight.”

The protests were largely peaceful but there were scattered confrontations between riot police and demonstrators, who at one point tried to march along a road leading to Bogota’s international airport but were turned back with tear gas.

Analysts were sceptical that the event would generate any prolonged unrest like that seen recently in Bolivia, Chile and Ecuador, noting a lack of unifying factors in a divided country that is one of the region’s stronger economic performers.

The Duque government is nevertheless on edge, deploying 170,000 officers to enforce security while closing border crossings and deporting 24 Venezuelans accused of entering the country to instigate unrest.

“They are preparing as if for war,” said Ariel Avila, deputy director of the Peace and Reconciliation Foundation. “But it’s very vague what they’ve shared about any potential disturbances.”

Duque, who has a lacklustre 26 percent approval rating, has gone on a charm offensive seeking to connect with citizens and counter erroneous claims on social media that he has proposed to raise the retirement age and reduce wages for young workers.

“I’m not here to talk about a garden of roses,” he said in a radio interview. “I’m talking about a country that is recovering, an economy that is improving and is today one of the best in Latin America.”

Why are Colombians angry?

Still, many Colombians say they have plenty of reasons to be angry.

Despite the previous administration’s 2016 peace accord with leftist rebels, much of Colombia is still engulfed in violence as illegal armed groups compete for territory where the state has yet to establish a presence. 

Dozens of indigenous and social leaders have been killed in crimes that remain largely unsolved. 

The Duque administration has made a small dent in reducing coca crops, but fields of the plant used to make cocaine still cover wide swaths of the country.

Meanwhile, Duque’s government has faced a series of embarrassing setbacks.

Defence Minister Guillermo Botero resigned in early November following revelations that at least eight minors had been killed in a bombing that targeted a small band of dissidents. 

Duque’s key ally, former president Alvaro Uribe, is under investigation for alleged witness tampering. 

And Duque himself drew criticism after holding up photos at the UN General Assembly that he said were proof that the socialist government in neighbouring Venezuela harbours leftist Colombian rebels — only to find out later that at least one of the images was taken in Colombia.

Colombia’s economy has been growing at a faster rate this year, but the nation still has one of the highest levels of inequality in South America. Nearly 11 percent of Colombians are out of work — a figure that jumps to 17.5 percent for young adults.

On Thursday, many of Bogota’s perpetually congested streets were free of vehicles as droves of protesters marched toward the city’s historic Plaza Bolivar. Some carried signs painting Duque as a pig. Others danced in bright-coloured skirts and straw hats, giving the protest the feeling of a festive parade.

“We are standing up to protest and tell all humanity that we need to demand change,” said Aida Prado, 26, an actress waving a white flag.

Jose Hernandez, 50, a member of the Embera-Chami indigenous group, travelled hours from western Colombia to march in the nation’s capital. He said he was protesting against the killing of native leaders in the countryside.

“The government doesn’t accept that we have the right to protest,” he said.

Array of complaints 

Unlike other recent protests, there is no one crystalising event sparking the demonstrations, but rather an array of complaints that vary widely depending on who is asked.

Comments from Cabinet ministers on potential financial reforms have raised concerns among union members about pension and work rule overhauls — though Duque’s administration insists such proposals do not exist.

Student groups accuse the government of not fully complying with an agreement to boost education funding after a swell of protests last year. 

Duque has increased the education budget to what he says is the highest level in Colombia’s history, while student activists contend science funding is still lacking.

Student leader Jose Cardenas said demonstrators would evaluate what actions they might take in the days ahead to keep the momentum going.

“What happened in Chile sent a forceful message,” he said.

Analysts are nonetheless doubtful that Colombia’s protest will come close to resembling the mass demonstrations in Chile and elsewhere, noting several key variances, even if there are some similar underlying economic factors like steep inequality and a rising cost of living.

Cynthia Arnson, director of the Latin America program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, said a lot will hinge on how authorities respond to the protests.

“It’s not inappropriate to have a security response to security threats,” she said. “The real challenge will be to make sure that it’s appropriately targeted and stays within the appropriate bounds.”