The Colombian government's tax reform, which the protests were initially about, included increased income taxes.
In addition, VAT on food and other basic goods would be introduced.
According to critics, the changes risked hitting the poorer sections of the country's population, who have already been hit hard by the corona pandemic.
The tax reform was withdrawn, but the protests have continued and are now about poverty and unemployment, says SVT's Latin America correspondent Tigran Feiler.
- There are many things that are boiling in Colombian society.
The vast majority support the protests since there may be views on what methods are used, but there is massive support for the protests and against the government's policy.
Big holes in public finances
The government, for its part, believes that it had to present a tax reform due to large gaps in public finances.
This in itself is not a contentious issue, but it is about who should pay the bill for the economic crisis that the pandemic has caused, among other things, says Tigran Feiler.
- Then the discussion in recent weeks has been a lot about how the protests have been handled by the government and the security forces.
The security forces have been accused of using violence against the protesters, and a defense minister has therefore been questioned in the senate.
But the government has a majority in parliament and it is unlikely that the accusations will have any major consequences.
Lack of future prospects
Tigran Feiler says it is difficult to say how long the protesters, who are largely young people, will be able to keep going.
- You also get to see how the government handles this. They have stopped the tax reform, they have replaced some ministers, they have done some things, but so far it has not dampened the anger that exists. When you talk to the young people, you get the impression that they do not see a bright future. They feel that they will have a worse life than their parents. It is the lack of future prospects that drives the frustration and anger.