What are the protests about?
Colombians have taken to the streets over possible changes to the minimum wage, pension and tax reforms, and the privatisation of state companies. The government insists there are no planned pension or labour reforms and that any changes would take place in consultation with labour groups. Protesters are also angry about alleged corruption and what some see as the government's failure to honour a 2016 peace deal with left-wing Farc rebels amid a rise in violence. Thursday's general strike was called by unions and student groups, and more protests were held on Friday, with police using tear gas to disperse crowds Media captionProtesters scattered as police fired tear gas in the capital Bogotá President Duque said he had heard Colombians and vowed to deepen "social dialogue". Unrest in Colombia has coincided with a surge of anti-government demonstrations elsewhere in Latin America. Protesters have taken to the streets in several Latin American countries in recent months, including in Chile, where conservative President Sebastián Piñera is grappling with the country's biggest crisis since its return to democracy in 1990. In Bolivia, claims of election fraud led to the resignation of long-time leftist President Evo Morales amid nationwide protests. Demonstrations have also taken place in Ecuador and Nicaragua.DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
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