Two Dead, Over 10 Injured Amid Clashes Between Demonstrators, Police In Colombia

BOGOTA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th May, 2021) At least two people died and more than 10 were injured in the latest clashes with law enforcement in Colombia's western municipality of Yumbo, where strikes and demonstrations have been ongoing since last month, a local journalist told Sputnik.

"In the early hours of today they violently attacked with the mobile Anti-Disturbance Squadron (ESMAD) forces and injured more than 10 people, especially young people. At this moment there is talk of at least two deaths, including one member of an indigenous community. There are numerous detainees," journalist, lawyer and historian Luis Alfonso Mena, said on Monday.

Meanwhile, local police said that only one person died, while 16 others were injured in the early hours of Monday.

According to Mena, many of the injured have decided not to go to the Yumbo hospital to avoid being detained by the authorities who have accused them of committing acts of vandalism.

Police said that demonstrators attacked law enforcement officers with handmade explosive devices on Monday and there were six injured police officers. The house of the mayor of Yumbo, Jhon Jairo Santamaria, was also attacked with stones.

Workers' strikes and public protests started in Colombia last month, with people walking out against the so-called Sustainable Solidarity Law, a now-shelved tax reform bill that trade unions warned would lead to at least 1.5 million workers having to pay new taxes.

According to Colombia's human rights officials, about 50 people have died amid the protests, including one police officer, while nearly 600 have been injured. Hundreds have been detained. Demonstrators, as well as international institutions, have been drawing attention to the disproportionate use of force by the Colombian police.

Percy Oyola, a member of the National Unemployment Committee (CNP) and president of the General Confederation of Labor (CGT) told Sputnik on Monday that there were two deaths and 24 injuries on Sunday.

CNP will organize a nation-wide demonstration in Colombia on Wednesday after no progress was made during Monday talks with the government, Oyola said.

Earlier, Colombia's Central Union of Workers (CUT) called for the continuation of strikes and popular assemblies, announcing a mass demonstration for Wednesday.