Colombia protests: Troops stay on streets as unrest continues Published duration 23 November 2019

image copyright Reuters

Colombia's President Iván Duque has said security forces will remain on the streets to maintain order, as protests continued for a third day.

The anti-government demonstrations erupted on Thursday, when more than 250,000 marched in a national strike.

They started peacefully but clashes between protesters and police have since broken out, and there have been reports of vandalism and looting.

Mr Duque said troops would carry out joint patrols with police.

"We express the total and absolute rejection of all Colombians for the vandalism, for the terrorism, for the looting," Mr Duque told reporters on Saturday.

At least three people have died since the protests against corruption and possible austerity measures began.

A curfew was imposed in the capital, Bogotá, on Friday, but it did not deter protesters from returning to the streets a day later.

image copyright Getty Images image caption President Duque said troops would carry out joint patrols with police

When protests resumed on Saturday, police used tear gas to disperse hundreds of people who had gathered near Bogotá's National Park, reports said.

Demonstrators also gathered outside of congress in Bolivar Plaza, near the presidential palace.

image copyright Getty Images image caption Protests took to the streets of Bogotá despite a curfew imposed by the mayor

Separately, late on Friday, three police officers were killed in a bomb attack in the country's south-west.

It is not clear if the incident is connected to the protests. The area is notorious for drug trafficking and gang violence.

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.

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 caption Protesters scattered as police fired tear gas

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.