Colombia's president signs protest-security decree as nationwide marches begin

Centre · 1Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella signed a security decree empowering authorities to block street barricades, ban road closures and counter disorder ahead of nationwide demonstrations planned for Wednesday 14 October. 1 Mixed · 2In a video address he said "the right to protest is respected, but there is no right to destroy, to block roads, to attack security forces, to commit assault, or, of course, to sow chaos", and that the measure gives the government "the teeth it needs" to combat "vandalism and urban terrorism disguised as protest". 1 2 Centre · 1According to Anadolu Agency, the decree lets police intervene against violent protesters without completing all stages of dialogue and mediation, and sets up unified command posts to coordinate police, military and municipal leaders; security forces are to document disruptive acts and prevent protesters from stopping cargo transport or blocking emergency vehicles. 3 1

Mixed · 2It also creates an early-warning mechanism for social conflicts, under which local authorities must convene a dialogue meeting within five working days; Arab News reported that the order seeks to establish safe corridors for transportation, essential services and critical infrastructure. 3 2 Centre · 1The marches were called by labor unions including the teachers' federation Fecode and the Central Union of Workers, with left-wing organisations, and were planned for Bogota, Medellin, Cali and Barranquilla. 1 Mixed · 2On Wednesday, trade unionists, Indigenous people, students and feminists marched, with former president Gustavo Petro, who urged people to join, focusing on the minimum wage and rising food prices; Senator Ivan Cepeda, who lost the election to De la Espriella by less than a percentage point, also attended in Bogota. 2 3

Mixed · 2Protesters demanded labor rights, better public education funding, health care, and guarantees for peaceful demonstrations, and some voiced opposition to the president's foreign policy, including restored relations with Israel and close ties to the United States; in Bogota some burned a US flag. 3 2 Mixed · 2Arab News, citing AFP interviews, quoted teachers who said the decree aimed to frighten people out of protesting; the government said it protects peaceful demonstrations while allowing a response to vandalism, assaults and disruption of essential services, and Anadolu noted critics questioning whether the rules adequately protect the right to peaceful protest. 2 3 Mixed · 2Arab News said protests proceeded peacefully in other major cities and that traffic in Bogota was calmer than usual, with some companies asking staff to work from home and some schools suspending classes; Anadolu described the day as a major test of the opposition's ability to challenge the administration. 2 3