Bogota, January 22 (RHC)-- In Colombia, protesters took to the streets of the capital and other cities, rejecting the assassination of social leaders, abuses by the police and neoliberal policies of the Ivan Duque administration.

Several clashes between demonstrators and the police took place during rallies in Bogotá and several regions of the country, in the context of a day of protest in Colombia, where cases of repression were reported.  The most serious incident happened in Bogota, when a group of demonstrators confronted the police at the Suba pass, after the authorities tried to clear a barricade erected on the road by the protesters.   In addition, the organization Campaign to Defend Freedom denounced repression by police officers against the protesters at different clash points.  

This is the first protest of the year, after the massive demonstrations in November and December against the social and economic measures of President Ivan Duque's government.

The president of the Central Unitaria de Trabajadores, Diógenes Orjuela, stated that the demonstrations were a statement against the assassination of social leaders, the scandals of alleged ilegal followings and the repression of the Esmad (Police).

In addition, the leader said that the real agenda of the mobilization will come out of a meeting they will have on January 30th and 31st with social organizations and unions.

Orjuela said that, in this meeting, the negotiations that have not been initiated with the government will be refined and a public declaration will be made to show the vision they have for the country.