International Crisis Group refers in a briefing that the wave of protests in Colombia reflects deeply rooted demands that affect a large part of society, rooted in economic needs and in very high levels of inequality that the health and economic devastation caused by Covid-19 made evident.

The organization refers that Colombia risks perpetual cycles of instability if it does not address the underlying causes of the demonstrations.

‘Political dialogue and negotiation are crucial to ease the more immediate tensions between the government and protesters, particularly police violence, and the use of roadblocks in protests,’ as well as to find ways to expand economic and educational opportunities to more citizens, the Group indicates.

International Crisis Group’s leaders urge politicians to be cautious not to allow the campaign for the 2022 presidential elections to frustrate progress toward substantial reforms.

No party or president will find it easy to manage the social discontent that has driven the 2021 demonstrations without making a meaningful commitment to reforms, they emphasize.

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