Anti-government demonstrators rally to protest economic and social reforms pushed by the government of President Gustavo Petro and his proposal to convene a constituent assembly at the Bolivar Square in Bogota, Colombia, April 21, 2024
COLOMBIA’S right mobilised on the streets on Sunday, with tens of thousands marching against socialist President Gustavo Petro’s proposed constitutional reforms.
Mr Petro has seen landmark reforms to pensions, workplace rights and healthcare blocked in Congress, where his coalition lacks a Senate majority, and has suggested reforming the constitution since “the institutions we have today in Colombia are not capable of living up to the social reforms that the people decreed through their vote” for his government.
Healthcare has become the biggest battleground this month. On April 3 the Senate rejected plans to extend public control over funding and widen healthcare access through establishing rural clinics.
The disputed election of a far-right president, who is also a US citizen, signals further consolidation of Washington’s regional power and represents a threat to the country’s democracy and sovereignty, writes WT WHITNEY JNR
Colombia’s success in controlling the drug trade should be recognised and its sovereignty respected, argues Dr GLORY SAAVEDRA