Several Latin American countries, such as Colombia, Bolivia or Peru, registered a series of protests this week. Non-conformity with national and local governments, corruption, the economic crisis and gender violence were some of the reasons.
On Friday, student communities and feminist groups took to the streets of Bogotá to demonstrate their disagreement with the recent allegations of sexual abuse in the Colombian capital, and to demand better infrastructure conditions at university campuses from the directors of the higher education institution. , in addition to denouncing corruption.
Likewise, new street clashes were registered the same Friday in the region of Santa Cruz, in Bolivia, as part of a general strike that has already lasted three weeks, to demand that the government carry out a census that would give it more budget and seats in the Legislative Branch.
Street vendors tried to unblock central avenues in that city to restore traffic and clashed with protesters in favor of the strike. The police had to intervene with tear gas to disperse the rival groups. No arrests or injuries were immediately reported.
Thursday, thousands of people marched in Lima, demonstrating his support for the leftist president Pedro Castillo. In addition, they demanded the closure of Peru’s Congress, dominated by the opposition. Called by unions, left-wing parties close to Castillo and civil groups, the march, dubbed “La toma de Lima” (The Takeover of Lima), reached the vicinity of Congress, which was cordoned off by policemen wearing helmets and plastic shields.
The same day, the Argentine social organizations marched and they blocked the streets, demanding from the government of President Alberto Fernández more jobs and monetary aid from the government as the nation faces an inflation rate in the last 12 months of 83%, one of the highest in the world.
The first columns of protesters gathered in different parts of the capital and then will march towards the Ministry of Social Development whose minister, Victoria Tolosa Paz, is facing the first major protest after taking office a month ago.
Brazil, for its part, reported last week five days of continuous protests, which began a day after former President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva took control of victory in the presidential election in the South American country. Even, Bolsonaro supporters demanded military intervention against the future administration of the president-elect.
Until last Friday, the authorities managed to favorably control 936 protests, according to the Brazilian Federal Highway Police (PFR), and unblock the country’s highways.
[Con información de AP y Reuters]
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