For 22 uninterrupted days of mobilizations in Colombia against the economic and social policies of the Duque government. | Photo: Xinhua

Bogota, May 19 (RHC)-- From different cities around Colombia, thousands of people took to the streets this Wednesday to protest against the government of Iván Duque, after negotiations with the National Strike Committee (CNP) continue to stall.

The CNP, which brings together unions and civil organizations, among other social groups, issued the call for peaceful demonstrations throughout Colombia.  "Everyone to the streets, with our flag and banners, with strict compliance with health measures-"

Organizers of the demonstrations also called for "resolving all the social problems of Colombians and the agenda of the national strike committee through the national emergency list; the repeal of decree 1.174, the withdrawal of bill 010 and that all the conditions and guarantees be provided to be able to install a negotiation table with the national government".

In Bogota, several organizations called for an artistic mobilization at Portal Americas.  Protests also took place in Medellín, Cali, Barranquilla, Manizales, Cártago, Bucaramanga, Villavicencio, Santander, Neiva and Bucaramanga.

Within the framework of this Wednesday's mobilizations, the conveners of the National Strike assured that President Iván Duque issued a "declaration of war" against the protest that began on April 28th.  The president of the Central Unitaria de Trabajadores -- the Central Trade Union (CUT), Francisco Maltés, said: "Duque declared war on the strike when he ordered the deployment of military and police forces on the sites of peaceful concentrations in the country."

"Despite the fact that more than 50 people have been murdered, more than 1,500 have been arrested, nearly 500 have disappeared, despite the fact that International Humanitarian Law has been violated, despite the fact that more than 20 women have been abused by some members of the National Police, the government refuses to respond to these clear acts of violence that have been repudiated by the international community."