Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Bogotá to protest a series of austerity measures and the Colombian government’s ties with Israel, with former President Gustavo Petro joining the march. The protest, organised by opposition groups, targeted the cuts announced by Minister de la Espriella, which critics say will deepen economic hardship for ordinary citizens.
The rally drew a sizable crowd from across the city, with participants chanting against the government’s fiscal policies and its diplomatic stance toward Israel. The demonstrators demanded a review of the austerity package and a reassessment of Colombia’s foreign policy priorities.
Petro, who served as president from 2018 to 2022, appeared on the march to lend his support to the opposition’s concerns. His presence underscored the broad political backing for the protest, which critics say reflects growing discontent with the current administration’s economic strategy.
Government officials have defended the austerity measures as necessary to stabilise the national budget, while opposition leaders argue that the cuts disproportionately affect low‑income communities and undermine social programmes.
The protest in Bogotá is part of a wider wave of opposition activity across Colombia, with activists calling for a halt to the austerity agenda and a shift in the country’s diplomatic focus.
<small>Source: Al Jazeera — read the original story there.</small>
