What is happening in Colombia?

June 5, 2021

Written by Angelica Irreño

As the United States and San Francisco begin to re-emerge following the pandemic, A bit of freedom, and arts and entertainment are the first things that everyone delves into.

However, our staffer, Angelica, who lives in Columbia is experiencing something quite opposite.

We’d like to share that perspective:

My name is Angelica Maria. I was born in the ’90s in Bogota, Colombia. The time of the internet boom where computers were becoming fast, easy, and cheap. A good decade and a sense of happiness that seems long vanished.

I’m passionate about traveling because it has the essence of unknown wonder. I lived in the Bay Area for four years and spent hundreds of days driving through the town, talking to new people, learning new cultures, and studying English. As long as enthusiasm holds out, so will new opportunities. Later on, I got to work at the Gregrangelo Museum as a marketing intern. It’s been a year since I immersed myself in this magical journey. I create visual and written content for social media purposes. I also conceptualize ideas with persuasive texts, images, and videos. Constantly, I research keywords and trends to optimize the website and google ads.

Source: Iván Valencia

Colombia, is a country largely situated in the northwest of South America. For me Colombia is magic, our famous coffee, artists, sports and diversity of flora and fauna are the country’s strengths. Although Colombian culture is well known as a violent and major illicit drug consumption country, there are many positive and unique characteristics of this country; including, a passion for music, dance, charitable values, and we are a family oriented society.

On April 28, 2021, Colombia took to the streets. I have seen many demonstrations, from artistic performances to the destruction of police stations and busses. Demonstrations by citizens began in opposition to the tax reform proposal and the government's mismanagement of the pandemic. When I think of a protest, I think of violent people and police barricades. However, pro-peace networks have come to support peaceful protests. These non-violent protests can sometimes even be mistaken for a “fiesta”. People are happier because they have hope everytime their voices are heard, they stand for their beliefs and don’t let anybody take them away. In some countries, protests are banned, in Colombia peaceful protests are banned for fear of large demonstrations.

Source: Temblores NGO

The government responded with violence and abuse of authority, leaving so far of 43 people killed, people missing, hundreds of injured people, victims of sexual violence, and countless cases of police violence. After protests and criticisms from human rights organizations regarding the repression, the president withdrew the tax reform from Congress, but the repression continues.

What are all the reasons behind these protests?

1. Workers demand better labor conditions.

2. Women’s movements reject patriarchal structures of violent oppression

3. Students stand up for their right to education

4. Indigenous groups and Afro-Colombians fight the colonization of their land and bodies.

5. Social leaders press for the fulfillment of the peace deal.

Due to the rise of violence, thousands of Colombians complete a month of demonstrations in one of the most prolonged protests in the country's recent history. Colombia demands economic support during the pandemic, stop health inequalities, and the end of police brutality.

Source: Iván Valencia

The people in Colombia will wave their flags higher, beat their drums harder and sing even louder because this is what it takes to let their voices be heard. They want everybody to know that they will not stop until justice is served and change is made.