ESMAD represses demonstrations in Colombia 

Bogota, June 29 (RHC)-- Social organizations in the Colombian city of Medellin denounced this Monday new repressive actions perpetrated by agents of the Mobile Anti-Riot Squad (ESMAD) in the framework of a new day of mobilizations in several regions of the country.

According to the denunciations of the organizations, an ESMAD truck attacked demonstrators with high-powered water jets at the historic University of Antioquia.  The demonstrators were peacefully demanding guarantees for protest and fundamental rights.

In addition to the repression against the demonstrators in Medellin, the alternative media Colombia Informa denounced that members of the ESMAD attacked them with tear gas and even stones.

"At least five direct attacks by ESMAD on correspondents of Colombia Informa who are covering the repression in Medellin (...) Everything has been recorded in our live transmissions," Colombia Informa points out.

The alternative media revealed that a journalist assigned to Tercer Canal also suffered repression from this squadron that is part of the Colombian Police.  They said that "a journalist was wounded by ESMAD, who shot him in the face."

Meanwhile, in Suba, located on the outskirts of Bogota, the demonstrators denounced aggressions by ESMAD against young people.  During the day, in addition to rejecting Duque's policies, the rally also paid tribute to the members of the First Line.

The new day of mobilization, which took place in cities such as Cali, Bucaramanga, Medellin, Barranquilla and Bogota (capital), aims to demand President Ivan Duque the total dismantling of ESMAD and a change of socioeconomic model that contributes to stop the violence and social inequality suffered by the country.