Arabic version: احتجاجات للمعارضة الكولومبية على خفض إنفاق حكومة دي لا إسبرييلا
According to Al Jazeera, a coalition of opposition parties, trade unions, indigenous groups and social movements held protests across Colombia against economic and security policies pursued by President Abelardo de la Espriella. Thousands marched in major cities, including Bogota, on Wednesday as a nationwide campaign led by former President Gustavo Petro began.
Opposition groups said reforms introduced during Petro’s presidency were at risk as the new government pursued cuts to government programmes. Under Petro, Colombia expanded access to public universities, raised the minimum wage and strengthened labour protections. Congress has until Tuesday to approve the 2027 fiscal-year budget, while allies of de la Espriella advance proposals to reduce public spending.
De la Espriella, who took office in August after a narrow June runoff victory, has pledged to shift Colombia towards free-market policies aligned with those of US President Donald Trump. The former defence lawyer and businessman campaigned on a hardline agenda on crime, immigration and the economy, including shrinking the government and reversing reforms made under Petro.
Before the demonstrations, the government issued rules giving police expanded powers to respond more quickly to protesters who vandalise public property or disrupt essential services. De la Espriella said the right to protest would be respected, but that violence, vandalism and blockades would not be tolerated. Critics said the protests this week had been largely peaceful.
Demonstrators also raised concerns about labour protections, healthcare and the government’s restored ties with Israel. On Wednesday, the administration opened a Colombian embassy in Jerusalem. Petro, who joined the protests, had cut relations with Israel over its war on Gaza. Several protesters carried Palestinian flags, while Petro described the mobilisation as a wake-up call two months into what he called a “tyrannical and imposed government”.
