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Thousands of protesters took part in anti-government demonstrations in Colombias capital Bogota and other cities Wednesday during the countrys third general strike in two weeks.
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Strike leaders say they intend to maintain pressure on right-wing President Ivan Duques government, after brushing aside his appeals to cancel the strike on the grounds its effects were crippling the economy.
But crowds were smaller than previous demonstrations as protests took place for a 14th consecutive day.
Some roads were blocked in the capital and in the northeastern city of Cali, but many businesses remained open.
Around 250,000 people took part in the first demonstration against Duques 15-month-old government on November 21, when the initial general strike brought the country to a standstill.
Interior Minister Nancy Patricia Gutierrez estimated that 40,000 people took part in demonstrations across the country on Wednesday, but organizers said the number of participants was much higher.
“The Colombian people have woken up!” shouted Paola Jiminez, a 41-year-old lawyer taking part in a pot-banging “cacerolazo” demonstration in Bogota.
“Colombians are finding it more and more difficult financially,” she said.
A student taking part in one of several peaceful protests in Bogota, who gave his name as Nicolas, held up a banner saying: “The state lies more than my ex.”
Police were deployed in nearby streets, but there were no confrontations of the kind that have marred some protests over the last two weeks, during which four people died. Some 500 have been injured.
On Tuesday, the Colombian National Strike Committee—comprising unions, students and teacher organRead More – Source
