Colombians rally against President Petro amid ongoing violence

Thousands of Colombians protested against President Gustavo Petro despite his peace negotiation efforts with armed groups

On Wednesday, thousands of Colombians took to the streets to protest against President Gustavo Petro amidst ongoing violence plaguing the South American nation, despite his efforts to negotiate peace with armed groups.

“Out, Petro!” read banners held aloft by protesters in Bogota as they waved the Colombian flag.

“Insecurity is everywhere, in the countryside and the cities. The people are tired,” protester Luis Chaparro, a retired soldier, told Agence France-Presse (AFP).

“We are facing two threats: violence and criminals on the one hand and the absolute ineptitude of the government of Gustavo Petro on the other,” added Miguel Uribe, an opposition senator and march organizer.

There were also marches in Cali, Medellin, Barranquilla, Bucaramanga, and other cities.

According to opinion polls, Petro, Colombia’s first-ever leftist president, enjoys only about 35% support.

His government has been negotiating with armed groups that have continued fighting despite the disarmament of the FARC, a significant guerrilla force, following a 2016 peace deal.

There have been frequent violations of successive cease-fire agreements, with civilians – particularly in rural areas – getting caught up in the fighting between leftist guerrillas, right-wing paramilitary groups, drug cartels, and the military.

Protesters were also critical of Petro’s proposed reforms to the pension and health care systems, where he wants to curb reliance on private funds.

Source: AFP

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