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Unions and opposition parties on Thursday (November 21st) called for a day of national strike in Colombia.
Bogota has a tune of January 1st. The shops are all closed and the traffic is much less dense than usual. In the center of the capital, however, the protesters are very numerous. According to the elders, we had not seen this since 1977, reports our correspondent, Marie-Ève Detœuf .
All causes are united : trade unionists, peace advocates, students, but also feminists, environmentalists, anti-bullfights ... There are many young people, but also young people who say they demonstrate for the first time. This diversity is reflected in banners and slogans. They target President Ivan Duque, but also his mentor, former President Alvaro Uribe who remains the strongman of the right.
Some protest against the economic and social policy of the government, including a proposed reform of labor law and pensions. Others defend the peace agreement signed with the guerrillas and protest against the targeted killings that are increasing in rural areas.
The atmosphere is at the party, with bands and drums everywhere. After a long armed conflict, Colombia seems to discover the pleasure of demonstrating in peace and joy. However, the Colombian government did not skimp on the means to discredit this strike, brandishing in particular the threat of violent overflows. The army has been deployed. The capital is squared off and the borders of the country are closed until Friday morning.