According to authorities, there were 250,000 people marching in different parts of Colombia on Thursday. They protested against President Ivan Duque's government, Reuters news agency reports.
Former presidential candidate and leftist Gustavo Petro has called for further protests on Friday afternoon local time.
The authorities have so far confirmed two deaths in Buenaventura and another death victim in Candelaria in the department of Valle del Cauca in western Colombia. The protesters have among other things plundered a mall in Buenaventura, claims the country's defense minister Carlos Holmes Trujill on Friday.
"Due to this violent incident, the security forces intervened to respond to the incident, while at the same time being subjected to violence in the form of stone-throwing and sticks were thrown at them," he said, continuing:
- As a result of the confrontation between vandals and security forces, and incidents investigated by the Prosecutor's Office, two people were killed.
Blockades should have occurred in four municipalities, stated the defense minister, adding that although the vast majority of marches were peaceful, 98 people were arrested, and 122 civilians and 151 members of security forces were injured, he said.