Pre-vote polls show former rebel Gustavo Petro ahead so far as Colombians vote for their next leader in a country facing rising poverty and insecurity.
Nearly 39 million of the country’s 50 million inhabitants are eligible to vote to renew the upper and lower houses of Congress and to elect a shortlist of presidential candidates.
President Ivan Duque says Euclides Espana alias Jhonier was killed in a clash with the military, calling it "one of the greatest blows" dealt to the FARC dissidents.
Civilians were "likely" among the 23 casualties from clashes between members of last recognised guerrilla group, the ELN, and dissidents of the FARC rebel movement, in eastern Arauca state, officials say.
Tax reform is the issue that in April sparked mass nationwide protests that left more than 60 people dead and the Colombian government is facing accusations of use of excessive force.
Colombian unions, student groups and civil society members say they will continue their demonstrations, seeking social change amid intermittent talks between the government and strike organisers.
Colombians have protested across the country against President Ivan Duque's government, which they feel has long ignored their needs.
Since April 28, hundreds of thousands of Colombians have taken to the streets to show their frustrations against the government after poverty and violence soared during the pandemic.
Protests began last week in opposition to a now-cancelled tax reform plan but demonstrators have expanded their demands to include government action to tackle poverty, police violence and inequality in the health and education systems.
Figures from an NGO show that over 30 people have died since the start of the protests, while official figures show at least 18 of 24 dead were shot, and over 800 others injured.
Bogota’s tax proposal has triggered anger as ordinary people feel the government has burdened them, and not the rich, with fixing the pandemic-hit economy.
Despite the withdrawal of the bill from congress, an umbrella group known as the National Strike Committee is calling for new demonstrations.
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