This is not the first time that demonstrations have erupted in Colombia; it also happened in 2019. In 2019, the anti-government protests, which started with Chile, had spread throughout South America. In November of the same year, the demonstrations against the Duque’s government occurred in Colombia. After the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the situation seemed to be stable. The situation has changed with the government’s new tax reform and the demonstrations began to crop up again across Colombia, on April 28th.

　The tax form, which caused demonstrations, was essentially to increase the income tax to collect more than $6 billion in tax revenue over the next nine years. The value-added tax is 19% in Colombia now, which excludes utilities and extra taxes. On the tax reform, however, the value-added tax is still 19% but also collects taxes on foods and utilities. In particular, the government decided on the tax reform to expand the income tax on the low-income residents, which increases the burden on citizens. Furthermore, the government caused even greater backlash as it tried to pass the bill through a special committee that did not require congressional debate.

　As a result, the citizens in Colombia were resisting the move that the government made which created more suffering for the working class, rather than the rich. As the demonstrations have intensified for a long time, according to the Colombian civic organization, at least 49 people have died and 548 have been missing so far. In addition, the government blocked off business sites, ports and roads, and mass demonstrations were held in 600 villages and cities. Furthermore, more than 40 police stations were burned because of police brutality to citizens. Influenced by this, President Duque announced on May 2nd that he would withdraw the tax reform. Although the Colombian Central Union of Workers, which led the protests on the 10th, and President Duque met for the first time and had a conversation, they failed to reach a settlement.

　Elizabeth Dickinson (Senior Colombia analyst, International Crisis Group) stated that the demonstrations caused “deep social and economic inequality, frustration with police brutality, widespread distrust of the government.”