Thousands Protest Across Colombia Against New Right-Wing President
Peaceful demonstrations took place in several Colombian cities on Wednesday against the policies of President Abelardo de la Espriella. They are the opposition's first major show of force since he took office in August.
Thousands of people took to the streets in cities across Colombia on Wednesday to protest the policies of the country's new right-wing president, Abelardo de la Espriella. The demonstrations passed peacefully. They are the opposition's first show of force since De la Espriella took office in August, promising to fight crime and eradicate "narco-terrorists." His is described as Colombia's most right-wing government in decades.
In Bogota, trade unionists, Indigenous Colombians, students and feminists gathered at a rally led by former left-wing president Gustavo Petro. Left-wing Senator Ivan Cepeda, who lost the June election runoff to De la Espriella by less than a percentage point, also attended. Some demonstrators chanted that the government "is going to fall."
Fears of losing gains
Petro led Colombia's first leftist administration, which expanded free access to public universities, oversaw record increases in the minimum wage and improved labor conditions. Leftists fear these advances are now at risk. Teacher Ester Guerra, 32, told AFP she feels there are no guarantees and that the little that was won is about to be lost.
De la Espriella is a US-backed millionaire and one of the most divisive Colombian leaders of modern times. Conservatives cheer him for confronting guerrilla groups that refused to disarm a decade ago, when the powerful FARC rebel army disbanded. Critics accuse him of endangering the fragile peace process, threatening minority rights and displaying an authoritarian streak.
Protest decree and foreign policy
On the eve of the marches, the president issued a decree giving authorities greater powers to crack down on demonstrations involving property damage or blocked streets. On X, he wrote that violence, vandalism and blockades would not be tolerated. Opponents called this an attempt to silence critics. Teacher Oscar Perez, 40, noted that protest is a constitutional right.
Demonstrators also criticized his foreign policy. De la Espriella restored diplomatic relations with Israel, which Petro had cut over the offensive in Gaza, and announced plans to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. In Bogota an American flag was burned and others waved Palestinian flags, while in Medellin a placard read "Yankees go home."
