Tens of thousands of Colombian citizens took to the streets to protest economic and social reforms proposed by the leftist government of President Gustavo Petro, Reuters reported.
Petro says the reforms are aimed at stark inequality, and his opponents say the planned legislative changes will damage the country’s already struggling economy. The reforms were among the key promises in the election campaign of the 64-year-old head of state, who took office in 2022.
According to the authorities, around 70,000 people took part in the procession through the streets of the capital, Bogotá, which ended at the central square, Simón Bolívar. Demonstrators chanted slogans such as “Down with Petro” and carried national flags.
There were also protests in the cities of Medellin and Cali.
The outcry was sparked by a Senate committee’s decision to reject a health reform proposal aimed at taking away power from insurers and expanding access to health care after the government took control of two major insurance companies on the grounds that they did not provide adequate patient care.
The government is expected to table a new healthcare reform proposal after the start of the new parliamentary session in July. MPs are still debating pension and labor reforms.
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