For several days now, people across Colombia have voiced their anger in large demonstrations. The protests—initially in response to a tax-reform proposal by President Iván Duque that many said would punish the middle class—have transformed into platforms for people to express their wider anger over the government’s mishandling of unemployment, inequality, and the ongoing pandemic crisis. Demonstrations continue, despite President Duque’s withdrawal of his unpopular tax proposal. Recently, the protests have also focused attention on police brutality, after the deaths of at least 19 demonstrators in previous days.
Photos: Deadly Protests Across Colombia
Hints:
View this page full screen.
Skip to the next and previous photo by typing j/k or ←/→.
-
![A large group of protesters chant together.]()
Read morePeople shout slogans during a demonstration against government-proposed tax reform, marking May Day, or International Workers' Day, in Bogota, Colombia, on May 1, 2021. #
Fernando Vergara / AP -
-
![A very large group of protesters marches.]()
Read moreDemonstrators take part in a protest against the tax reform of President Iván Duque's government in Bogota on April 28, 2021. #
Luisa Gonzalez / Reuters -
![A demonstrator prepares to throw a stone at a police vehicle.]()
Read moreA demonstrator prepares to throw a stone at a police vehicle during a protest in Bogota on April 28, 2021. #
Luisa Gonzalez / Reuters -
![Several riot police officers clash with several protesters.]()
Read moreDemonstrators clash with members of security forces during a protest in Bogota on April 28, 2021. #
Luisa Gonzalez / Reuters -
-
![A man walks in front of a burning bus.]()
Read moreA man walks in front of a burning bus during a protest against a tax-reform bill launched by Colombian President Iván Duque, in Cali, on April 28, 2021. #
Paola Mafla / AFP / Getty -
![A large crowd of protesters face riot police in a public square.]()
Read moreProtesters clash with riot police at Bolivar Square during a national strike against the government's tax-reform proposal on April 28, 2021, in Bogota. #
Guillermo Legaria / Getty -
![Two riot police officers in uniform ride a motorcycle. One of them holds up a crowd-control weapon.]()
Read moreRiot police officers on a motorcycle approach demonstrators during a protest in Medellín, Colombia, on April 29, 2021. #
Joaquin Sarmiento / AFP / Getty -
-
![A wounded demonstrator is pulled to safety.]()
Read moreA wounded demonstrator is pulled to safety during clashes with riot police in Cali, Colombia, on April 29, 2021. #
Paola Mafla / AFP / Getty -
![A security-forces member grabs a protester in the street.]()
Read moreA security-forces member grabs a man during a protest in Bogota, on April 30, 2021. #
Luisa Gonzalez / Reuters -
![Demonstrators take cover behind makeshift shields.]()
Read moreDemonstrators take cover behind makeshift shields and shout during clashes with riot police officers in Cali, Colombia, on April 30, 2021. #
Luis Robayo / AFP / Getty -
-
![A riot police officer fires tear gas.]()
Read moreA riot police officer fires tear gas at demonstrators in Cali on April 30, 2021. #
Luis Robayo / AFP / Getty -
![A very large group of people gathers for a protest.]()
Read morePeople protest against a proposed tax reform in Cali, Colombia, on May 1, 2021. #
Luis Robayo / AFP / Getty -
![A close-up of a woman's face painted in the colors of the Colombian flag]()
Read moreA woman with her face painted in the colors of the Colombian flag takes part in a protest in Cali on May 1, 2021. #
Luis Robayo / AFP / Getty -
-
![Medical staff lean out a window, raising their arms in support of demonstrators.]()
Read moreMedical staff raise their arms in support of a demonstration against government-proposed tax reform in Bogota on May 1, 2021. #
Fernando Vergara / AP -
![A large group of people march, holding protest signs.]()
Read morePeople protest on May 1, 2021 in Medellín, Colombia. #
Fredy Builes / Getty -
![Dozens of riot police stand in a street.]()
Read moreRiot police stand guard during a protest outside Colombian President Iván Duque's house in Bogota on May 1, 2021. #
Juan Barreto / AFP / Getty -
-
![Protesters set fire to a police patrol vehicle.]()
Read moreProtesters set fire to a police patrol vehicle during a demonstration on May 1, 2021 in Medellín. #
Fredy Builes / Getty -
![A masked protester carrying rocks jumps down from a ledge.]()
Read moreA masked protester carrying rocks jumps down from a ledge during a protest in Bogota on May 1, 2021. #
Juancho Torres / Anadolu Agency / Getty -
![A riot police officer moves part of a burning barricade.]()
Read moreA riot police officer moves a sign during a demonstration on May 1, 2021, in Medellín. #
Fredy Builes / Getty -
-
![Dozens of cars sit stranded on a highway.]()
Read moreCars are seen stopped on a road during a protest against the tax reform of President Iván Duque's government in Zipaquira, Colombia, on May 3, 2021. #
Herbert Villarraga / Reuters -
![Dozens of police officers maneuver motorcycles through trafic.]()
Read morePolice officers make their way through heavy traffic during a protest in Medellín on May 3, 2021. #
Joaquin Sarmiento / AFP / Getty -
![A protester near a burning barricade holds up his middle finger toward police.]()
Read moreA protester gestures toward police while protecting himself with a traffic sign during a protest in Cali on May 3, 2021. #
Andres Gonzalez / AP -
-
![A riot police officer fires tear gas.]()
Read moreA riot police officer fires tear gas at demonstrators during clashes in Cali, Colombia, on May 3, 2021. #
Luis Robayo / AFP / Getty -
![Demonstrators clash with riot police amid tear gas.]()
Read moreDemonstrators clash with members of Colombia's security forces in Cali on May 3, 2021. #
Juan Bautista / Reuters -
![People carry a wounded man.]()
Read morePeople carry a wounded man during a protest in Cali on May 3, 2021. #
Juan Bautista / Reuters -
-
![Protesters gather on a street in the rain.]()
Read moreDemonstrators take part in a protest outside President Iván Duque's house in Bogota on May 3, 2021. #
Juancho Torres / Anadolu Agency / Getty -
![Hundreds of people gather around lit candles, some of which spell out the letter "N."]()
Read moreRelatives and friends of Nicolas Guerrero, who was killed during clashes with riot police at a protest against a tax-reform bill, attend a vigil in his honor, in Cali, Colombia, on May 3, 2021. #
Luis Robayo / AFP / Getty
We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor or write to letters@theatlantic.com.