FSP-Microcosm News-Global Community Report: Colombia braced for nationwide protests

Saturday, August 31, 2013

Colombia braced for nationwide protests

Students and labour unions to march in support of farmers unhappy with free trade agreements

Sibylla Brodzinsky in Bogotá
theguardian.com, Thursday 29 August 2013 11.19 EDT

Demonstrators and riot policemen near Bogota Colombia

Demonstrators banging on pots in support of farmers at the entrance of La Calera near Bogotá. Photograph: Jose Miguel Gomez/Reuters

Colombia's largest cities were braced on Thursday for marches by students and labour unions in support of a growing nationwide strike by miners, truckers, coffee growers, milk producers and potato farmers protesting against everything from high fuel prices to free trade agreements that farmers say have them on the brink of bankruptcy.
The protests began on 19 August, with demonstrators joining striking miners,to block some of the country's main highways using tree branches, rocks and burning tyres. At least one protester and one policeman have died in the demonstrations, dozens have been injured and more than 150 have been arrested.
The protests spread to the cities where residents banged pots in solidarity with the farmers after president Juan Manuel Santos, in a failed effort to downplay the importance of the strikes, said the "supposed national farmers' strike does not exist".
Forced to apologise for the statement, he sent out high-level officials to begin negotiating separately with the different sectors. "We recognise that the farmers' protests respond to real needs and problems. We are listening to them and offering solutions," Santos said on Wednesday night.

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At least 20 injured as police, protesters clash in Colombian capital

Souce:Xinhua Publish By Joseph A. Cambra Updated 30/08/2013 7:05 pm i

At least 20 people were injured and some stores damaged here on Thursday in clashes between riot police and demonstrators gathering at central Bolivar Square to show support for striking farmers.
Local media reported that as many as 30,000 people, including more than 20,000 university students, began the protest three days ago at the square to support a nationwide farmers strike. The clashes broke out as several groups of young demonstrators attacked the police.
At least 20 people, including protesters as well as policemen, were injured as the police tried to disperse the crowd with tear gas, stun grenades and water cannons, local media said.
In a related development, supporters of the farmers also clashed with riot police trying to remove roadblocks and waterworks pipes placed by demonstrators on the South Highway to Bogota.

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