Civil Unrest in Columbia

41 reportedly killed and 846 injured in Columbian anti-government protests.

Since April 28th, Columbians have taken to the streets to protest against an unsatisfactory government, fuelled by a fiscal tax reform introduced by President Ivan Duque to help it recover from its pandemic-afflicted economic crisis. More than two weeks later, the reform bill has been withdrawn and the Finance Minister who drafted it has resigned. However, the protests, that have seen 41 dead and hundreds injured, amid mounting cases of police brutality condemned by the world, continue.

The Duque administration, however, isn't new to protests. Outrage against the government had been building before the pandemic began, and the COVID - 19 outbreak, with the government's mismanagement and a sluggish vaccine rollout, only added to the discontentment of the citizens. Experts also added that even though lockdowns prevented protests from occurring last year, public sentiment never stood with the government. In 2019, protests erupted against the administration due to its economic policies, its failure in stopping the killing of numerous social leaders, and its lack of support for a peace treaty that could have ended a long guerilla war. In fact, since the pandemic began, President Duque's popularity has taken a massive dip, with analysts saying that he is at his weakest point since assuming office in 2018. A poll also showed that 74 percent of citizens between ages 18 and 25 have a disapproving opinion of the President.

The tax hike was merely the last straw for citizens. President Duque in the proposal pushed for raising about 6. 7 billion dollars over nine years, in order to pay for social programs started since the start of the pandemic and balance the budget. In order to do this, it called for increased taxation of businesses, broaden items included in Value added tax of 19 percent, and decrease the threshold for tax collection, causing more low-income families to be included. This move came as a response to one of the worst economic and health catastrophes Columbia has ever faced, due to the COVID pandemic. Columbia's GDP had decreased by 6.8 percent in 2020, and unemployment numbers skyrocketed this year, with almost half the population living in poverty in the South American country. According to critics, this proposal, if implemented, could have increased inequalities and burdens on already reeling families in the nation.

The protests have now reached 247 towns and cities, with the capital Bogota and the city of Cali acting as epicenters. The tax reform protest has evolved into a growing chorus of anti-government rage, escalated by cases of police brutality that have been condemned by the United States, the United Nations, and the European Union. Videos have been shared on social media showing police using "excessive force" against peaceful protestors, and celebrities like J Balvin and Shakira have voiced the unrest in the nation. However, the government has produced an unsatisfactory response, alleging that the police were merely responding to leftist guerrillas, armed groups, and "urban terrorists" that have infiltrated the protests. According to Colombia's Human Rights Ombudsman, 168 people have been reported "missing" during the protests.

Now, the militarization of cities in the country is adding to the tensions. As the people demand the dissolution of riot police, a basic income guarantee, and the withdrawal of a government health reform proposal, 47,500 uniformed personnel have been deployed throughout the country. However, this militarization is more likely to increase the possibility of rebellion, rather than squash protests.

In order to calm the brewing upheaval against them, the government called on protest leaders for a dialogue on May 6th on Monday. However, this call for national dialogue was similar to the one during the 2019 protests, and even after the discussion, groups remain unsatisfied. Moreover, with more people joining the protests each day, a quick resolution is unlikely. With protestors blocking several areas leading to shortages of fuel and food, this crisis for Columbia comes as COVID - 19 cases shoot through the roof in the nation. Till now, most protests have been peaceful, but as clashes with the police continue, many are turning violent. With an overwhelming response from the lower middle class, the protests are slated to continue for a while, unless a concrete solution resolves the economic, political, and social inequality prevalent in the nation.

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