Demonstrations in Colombia to cancel the "Copa America"

Dozens of Colombian football supporters demonstrated today in Bogota in front of the headquarters of the local federation of the game, calling for the cancellation of the South American Cup (Copa America), which their country is organizing with Argentina from next June 13, at a time the country is sweeping with violence against the background of increasing the value-added tax and expanding the tax base On income. "Football can neither mask politics nor the violent incidents that we are witnessing at the present time," Jordan Santiago, leader of a soccer group called "Yellow Fever," said in a statement to Agence France-Presse. "We football fans are tired. We will join the people to demand the abolition of the Copa America," he added.

Supporters of America's clubs, Milionarios and other teams from the country gathered around him to protest the situation to the rhythm of drumming, dressed in the colors of the national team. Colombia is organizing the Copa America for the second time in its history, which is the first in the history of this ancient tournament, which is witnessing a bilateral organization. However, since April 28, the country has witnessed demonstrations against the local government and confrontations with the security forces, which resulted in 42 dead and 1,600 injured. Despite the withdrawal of the tax reform bill, discontent continued and turned into a broader anti-government protest, in a country suffering from constant violence and economic hardship, exacerbated by the outbreak of the Coronavirus.

The cities of Bogota, Medellin and Cali, which host matches in the Copa America, have witnessed rounds of violence, which led to the transfer of matches in the Copa Libertadores and Sudamericana Championships, parallel to the European Champions League, to other cities or even to Paraguay. While other matches were stopped after policemen threw tear gas canisters after clashes with demonstrators on the outskirts of the stadium in Barranquilla (north), where the final match of the Copa Libertadores will be held on July 10. The nurse Jordan Santiago (25 years) commented on this matter by saying, "How can they organize a match in these circumstances?".

On the other hand, Argentine President Alberto Fernandes affirmed that his country is capable of hosting the competition on its own, and said in this regard to a local radio station, "We can fully organize the Copa America championship as long as everyone respects the strict conditions and protocol."

The Confederation of South America (CONMEBOL) will hold a virtual meeting Thursday at its headquarters in the Paraguayan capital, Asuncion, which will be devoted only to discussing the continental championship.

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