But the protests – mostly peaceful, some riotous and destructive – have divided the Colombian population. “Unfortunately, in my city this has not been a peaceful protest,” Juan, 40, a hospital doctor in Cali, said. Carolina, 26, a paediatrician in Bogotá, where demonstrators and police have also clashed, is still on the side of the protesters. Maria, 40, a human rights attorney from Cali, believes the destruction the protests have brought is inexcusable. What started as peaceful protests from labour unions and other citizens has ended in a bloody mess,” he said.

Source: The Guardian May 12, 2021 17:45 UTC