Crushing neoliberal economic policies, police brutality and widespread violence continue to drive demonstrations, strikes and calls for the government of Colombia to change course. Discussions between Colombian President Iván Duque and the National Strike Committee have yet to produce a meaningful resolution, and so the coalition of trade unions and civil society groups continue their protests.
In a recent communication, the National Strike Committee highlighted:
- 77 deaths, 1246 injured, 2808 detentions, 106 female victims of sexual violence and 74 eyes lost, all as a result of the government-led repression during recent protests
- given the scale of state-sponsored violence, the National Strike Committee has suspended negotiations with the government and has taken their case to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
Rel-UITA Regional Secretary Gerardo Iglesias stated, “The Colombian people are demanding that the government change course away from its neoliberal policies. The Colombia people are resisting. International solidarity remains strong.”
