Protest

19
Apr 2024
10:08 UTC

Colombia Tactical: Anti-government protest marches slated nationwide, including in Bogota on April 21; maintain heightened vigilance

Current Situation

  • Multiple activist groups, including labor unions and opposition parties led by Centro Democratico political party are slated to hold anti-government protest marches in multiple cities nationwide on April 21. 
  • The marches are being held to protest the multiple reforms proposed by President Gustavo Petro, including his proposal to convene a National Constituent Assembly allegedly to bypass challenges Petro faces in passing key reforms through Congress. 
  • Additionally, unions representing healthcare professionals have announced participation in the protests, under the banner of ‘Marcha de las batas blancas’ (March of the white coats). 
  • Details on the planned demonstrations are as follows: 
    • In Barranquilla, the march is scheduled to start from Estatua Joe Arraya and proceed to Parque Santander from 08:00 (local time) onwards. 
    • In Bogota, the march is slated from Parque Nacional to Plaza de Bolivar from 10:00 onwards. 
    • In Cali, the march is scheduled to start from Parque de las Banderas to Plaza San Francisco from 10:00 onwards. 
    • In Cartagena, the march is slated from India Catalina to Camellon de los Martires from 10:00 onwards. 
    • In Cucuta, the march will start from Ventura Plaza to Parque Santander from 10:00 onwards. 
    • In Medellin, the marches are scheduled to start from three points- Parque de El Poblado, Estacion Estadio del Metro, and the intersection of Avenida Oriental and Avenida La Playa at 10:00 and protestors will then proceed to Parque de las Luces. 
  • Additional protests will be held in Armenia, Bucaramanga, Florencia, Manizales, Neiva, Pereira, Popayan, Santa Marta, Sincelejo, Tunja, Valledupar, and Villavicencio on the same day. 
  • Similar nationwide anti-government marches were held on March 6. The march in Bogota was reportedly attended by around 15,000 people. 

Assessments & Forecast

  1. Based on the March 6 anti-government protests, the slated marches are likely to witness turnouts ranging from the mid hundreds to low tens of thousands. A higher attendance can be expected in Bogota and Medellin, in the high thousands to low tens of thousands. 
  2. Meanwhile, protests in other cities like Cartegena, Bucaramanga, Armenia, among others, are likely to draw a turnout between the low-to-mid hundreds. 
  3. Although precedent indicates that the marches are likely to transpire peacefully without any instances of unrest, the possibility of isolated scuffles between protestors and security forces cannot be ruled out entirely.
  4. As such, a bolstered security presence can be expected in the vicinity of the march routes and near the destination locations, especially Plaza de Bolivar in Bogota and Parque de las Luces in Medellin to monitor proceedings, divert traffic, and also to prevent any possible escalation to unrest. 
  5. Significant disruptions to vehicular and pedestrian traffic can be expected near all protest locations and march routes during the slated timings. 

Recommendations

  1. Those operating or residing in the aforementioned cities in Colombia on April 21 are advised to maintain heightened vigilance near slated protest locations due to the potential for localized unrest. 
  2. Allot for disruptions to vehicular and pedestrian travel in the vicinity of the protest locations.  
COUNTRY RISK LEVEL Medium
AFFECTED AREA Colombia
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL Medium
STRENGTH OF SOURCE Credible

Current Situation

  • Multiple activist groups, including labor unions and opposition parties led by Centro Democratico political party are slated to hold anti-government protest marches in multiple cities nationwide on April 21. 
  • The marches are being held to protest the multiple reforms proposed by President Gustavo Petro, including his proposal to convene a National Constituent Assembly allegedly to bypass challenges Petro faces in passing key reforms through Congress. 
  • Additionally, unions representing healthcare professionals have announced participation in the protests, under the banner of ‘Marcha de las batas blancas’ (March of the white coats). 
  • Details on the planned demonstrations are as follows: 
    • In Barranquilla, the march is scheduled to start from Estatua Joe Arraya and proceed to Parque Santander from 08:00 (local time) onwards. 
    • In Bogota, the march is slated from Parque Nacional to Plaza de Bolivar from 10:00 onwards. 
    • In Cali, the march is scheduled to start from Parque de las Banderas to Plaza San Francisco from 10:00 onwards. 
    • In Cartagena, the march is slated from India Catalina to Camellon de los Martires from 10:00 onwards. 
    • In Cucuta, the march will start from Ventura Plaza to Parque Santander from 10:00 onwards. 
    • In Medellin, the marches are scheduled to start from three points- Parque de El Poblado, Estacion Estadio del Metro, and the intersection of Avenida Oriental and Avenida La Playa at 10:00 and protestors will then proceed to Parque de las Luces. 
  • Additional protests will be held in Armenia, Bucaramanga, Florencia, Manizales, Neiva, Pereira, Popayan, Santa Marta, Sincelejo, Tunja, Valledupar, and Villavicencio on the same day. 
  • Similar nationwide anti-government marches were held on March 6. The march in Bogota was reportedly attended by around 15,000 people. 

Assessments & Forecast

  1. Based on the March 6 anti-government protests, the slated marches are likely to witness turnouts ranging from the mid hundreds to low tens of thousands. A higher attendance can be expected in Bogota and Medellin, in the high thousands to low tens of thousands. 
  2. Meanwhile, protests in other cities like Cartegena, Bucaramanga, Armenia, among others, are likely to draw a turnout between the low-to-mid hundreds. 
  3. Although precedent indicates that the marches are likely to transpire peacefully without any instances of unrest, the possibility of isolated scuffles between protestors and security forces cannot be ruled out entirely.
  4. As such, a bolstered security presence can be expected in the vicinity of the march routes and near the destination locations, especially Plaza de Bolivar in Bogota and Parque de las Luces in Medellin to monitor proceedings, divert traffic, and also to prevent any possible escalation to unrest. 
  5. Significant disruptions to vehicular and pedestrian traffic can be expected near all protest locations and march routes during the slated timings. 

Recommendations

  1. Those operating or residing in the aforementioned cities in Colombia on April 21 are advised to maintain heightened vigilance near slated protest locations due to the potential for localized unrest. 
  2. Allot for disruptions to vehicular and pedestrian travel in the vicinity of the protest locations.  
COUNTRY RISK LEVEL Medium
AFFECTED AREA Colombia
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL Medium
STRENGTH OF SOURCE Credible

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