- It's obviously a little uncomfortable. According to what we have heard, there can be riots with the risk of violence and death, says 55-year-old Paula Wiesel.

Together with 63-year-old Mikael Nilsson, she has backpacked in Costa Rica and Panama for the past three weeks. They chose to spend the last time in Bogota. On Tuesday they arrived and already the next morning they noticed something was going on.

Westerners can provoke

- We were having breakfast when suddenly there were about twenty heavily armed soldiers walking on the street below, says Mikael Nilsson.

When the couple then went to a tourist office to ask about the city's sights, they were warned about Thursday's impending protests.

- We had no idea. Streets should apparently be turned off. We were told that we as Westerners should stay away because we can be provocative, says Paula Wiesel.

The picture shows the preparations for the protests. Among other things, windows to various buildings are covered. Photo: TT / RAUL ARBOLEDA

According to TT, Colombia has closed a number of border crossings to prevent people from entering the country and causing concern. At least 15 foreigners have been forced to leave the country in recent days when, according to intelligence organizations, they have been in Colombia to call for violence.

"There will apparently be a great dissatisfaction with the government and the military in the country," says Mikael Nilsson, who heard for.

Trust in the embassy

The Varberg couple has been in contact with the Swedish embassy which invites them to stay away from main streets and large crowds. Their flight home to Sweden goes on Thursday evening, but they have been advised to be on site already early in the morning.

- We trust what the embassy says. There is a risk that the roads will be closed so that we do not arrive at the airport. The demonstrations will start at half past nine and we plan to be at the airport already at 5, says Paulina Wiesel.

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Paulina Wiesel talks to Colombian police