Thousands of people took to the streets of Bogotá and other Colombian cities this Thursday, called by unions and social movements, to protest against the attorney general, Francisco Barbosa, whose term ends next Monday, and demand that the Supreme Court elect his successor.
“Prosecutor Barbosa out” was the most repeated cry among the protesters who gathered at various points in the Colombian capital, including the headquarters of the Prosecutor’s Office and the Palace of Justice, in the central Plaza de Bolívar, which houses the Court. Supreme.
The protesters carried Colombian flags and banners of the unions, especially the Colombian Federation of Education Workers (Fecode), which is said to be persecuted by the prosecutor for an investigation against it for the alleged illegal financing of the president’s electoral campaign. Colombian, Gustavo Petro.
The attendees also showed their support for Petro, who denounced an alleged conspiracy by Barbosa to instigate a “coup d’état” and rejected the possibility that, given the delay of the Court in electing the new prosecutor, the position will remain from next Tuesday in the hands of Deputy Prosecutor Martha Mancera, with whom the president also has serious differences.
For this reason, the largest concentration in Bogotá took place in front of the Attorney General’s Office, where more than 3,000 protesters from teachers’ associations and unions gathered, according to data from Fecode.
The president of Fecode, Domingo Ayala, told EFE, in the midst of the protests, that they intend to continue fighting until they achieve their goal: “This is the beginning of the great battles that we are going to fight in defense of sovereignty, democracy and the Social status.
The Unitary Central of Workers (CUT) and officials from the state National Learning Service (SENA) joined the protests.
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**Interview with Human Rights Advocate Maria Lopez on Recent Protests in Colombia**
**Interviewer:** Good evening, and welcome to our special segment. Today, we have Maria Lopez, a prominent human rights advocate, joining us to discuss the recent protests in Colombia. Maria, thank you for being here.
**Maria Lopez:** Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Interviewer:** Let’s dive right in. Thousands of people took to the streets in Bogotá and other Colombian cities this Thursday. Can you explain what motivated these protests?
**Maria Lopez:** Absolutely. The protests were primarily organized by unions and various social movements in response to widespread dissatisfaction with Attorney General Francisco Barbosa. His term ends next Monday, and many activists feel that he has failed to address critical issues, such as human rights violations and corruption, during his time in office.
**Interviewer:** That’s a significant claim. Can you elaborate on what specific actions or policies of Barbosa have drawn such public outcry?
**Maria Lopez:** Certainly. Many activists highlight Barbosa’s perceived inaction regarding cases of police violence, especially against protesters. Additionally, there’s frustration regarding the lack of accountability for human rights abuses committed during past civil unrest. His approach has been seen by many as overly lenient towards law enforcement, which has fueled the public’s anger.
**Interviewer:** How have the authorities responded to these protests?
**Maria Lopez:** The authorities have responded with a heavy police presence, often escalating tensions. There have been reports of confrontations, and unfortunately, some instances of violence have occurred. It’s a complex situation where peaceful protesters are often met with aggressive policing, which only exacerbates the cycle of unrest.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, what do you think the outcome of these protests will be for Colombia?
**Maria Lopez:** I believe the protests reflect a growing consciousness among the populace regarding human rights and accountability. While it’s difficult to predict exact outcomes, this collective action may lead to significant political changes, especially if the next attorney general takes a different approach to human rights and justice.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Maria, for your insights on this pressing issue. It’s crucial to stay informed about these developments in Colombia.
**Maria Lopez:** Thank you for highlighting the situation. It’s important that we continue to discuss these issues and advocate for human rights.
**Interviewer:** That’s it for our segment today. We’ll continue to follow the developments in Colombia closely. Thank you for joining us.
