(Bogotá) More than 20,000 people demonstrated on Wednesday in the Colombian capital Bogota in support of the policies of left-wing President Gustavo Petro and his government, we learned from an official source.
Responding to the call of the first left-wing president (elected in the summer of 2022) in the history of Colombia, indigenous people, workers and students made up the bulk of this demonstration in the historic center of Bogota, noted AFP.
Draped in scarves and multi-colored flags, sticks in hand for the indigenous people and to the sound of musical instruments, the demonstrators walked along several avenues of the city center in the morning to then gather in the famous Bolivar Square, under the windows of the presidency.
There were at least 23,000, according to Bogota town hall.
In recent days, the presidency had called on voters to demonstrate “for peace, for life, and for social justice”, particularly after “the latest acts of violence” by various armed groups in the country, particularly in the department Cauca (southwest).
The government is harshly criticized by the right-wing opposition for its attempts to negotiate with dissidents from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrillas who reject the 2016 peace agreement, and the Guevarist Army guerrillas. national liberation (ELN).
The opposition, but also the media, denounced the use of public funds to finance a major concert planned for today in Bogota, as well as the logistics of the demonstrations.
They also claim that this rally aims to support the left-wing candidate for mayor of the capital for the next local elections on October 29, former senator Gustavo Bolivar.
Interior Minister Luis Fernando Velasco acknowledged that the government had provided “some support” to protesters with transportation and other expenses “in accordance with the provisions” of the law, according to a presidential statement.
Thousands of indigenous people arrived by bus from several regions of the country, to settle in a large park in Bogota, in anticipation of Wednesday’s demonstration.
Since his inauguration, Mr. Petro has several times resorted to mobilization in the streets to support his policies, to support reforms contested or blocked in parliament by the opposition.