Colombians angry at conservative President Iván Duque are hoping to channel Latin America’s wave of discontent as they take to the streets Thursday with a long list of grievances, from persistent economic inequality to violence against social activists.
FILE - In this Nov. 7, 2019 file photo, Colombia's President Ivan Duque waves to police cadets, accompanied by his interim Defense Minister and Armed Forces Commander Gen. Luis Fernando Navarro, left, during a graduation ceremony for the cadets in Bogota, Colombia. Labor unions, student groups and ordinary citizens are expected to join in on Thursday, Nov.
Analysts are skeptical, however, that the event will generate any prolonged unrest like that seen recently in Bolivia, Chile and Ecuador, noting a lack of unifying factors in a divided country that is one of the region’s stronger economic performers. “They are preparing as if for a war,” said Ariel Ávila, deputy director of the Peace and Reconciliation Foundation. “But it’s very vague what they’ve shared about any potential disturbances.”
Colombia’s economy has been growing at a faster rate this year, but the nation still has one of the highest levels of inequality in South America. Nearly 11% of Colombians are out of work – a figure that jumps to 17.5% for young adults. Comments from Cabinet ministers on potential financial reforms have raised concerns among union members about pension and work rule overhauls – though Duque’s administration insists such proposals do not exist.
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