Colombia Tactical: SINTRAUNAL calls for protest march to Plaza de Bolivar in Bogota from 09:00 (local time) on April 11; maintain heightened vigilance

Apr 2024

11:56 UTC

The Sindicato Mixto de Trabajadores de las Universidades Publicas Nacionales (SINTRAUNAL) education workers’ union of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia (UNAL) has called for a protest march from the Plaza Francisco de Paula Santander (Plaza Che) in UNAL to Plaza de Bolivar from 09:00 (local time) on April 11.
The march is being held to support the indefinite strike carried out by UNAL students against the appointment of Ismael Pena as the new rector of the university on March 21.
The appointment resulted in subsequent protests on March 22 and April 4. Instances of unrest in the form of clashes between protestors and security forces and vandalism were recorded in both protests.

Based on social media estimates and precedent, the protest march is likely to witness a turnout between the high dozens to low hundreds.
Given that unrest was recorded in both protests, coupled with reports of allegedly hooded individuals breaking into a building in the university and perpetrating vandalism on April 8, there remains a credible threat of the upcoming protest escalating into unrest. This will likely be in the form of scuffles between the protestors and security forces, throwing stones at security personnel, and damaging vehicles in the vicinity. Should unrest occur, security forces are liable to use crowd dispersal measures such as tear gas.
Given this, bolstered security measures can be expected near UNAL and Plaza de Bolivar to prevent the escalation of protests and regulate traffic. An increased security presence can also be anticipated near Congreso and Casa de Narino presidential palace, given their proximity to the protest locations.
In addition, disruptions to vehicular and pedestrian traffic can be anticipated in the vicinity of the aforementioned locations, particularly along Avenida El Dorado and la Carrera 30 near UNAL, and thoroughfares during the slated timings.

Those residing or operating in Bogota on April 11 are advised to maintain heightened vigilance near the aforementioned protest locations and along the route of the protest march due to the potential for clashes between protestors and security forces.
Allot for disruptions to pedestrian and vehicular traffic in the vicinity of protest locations from the morning hours onwards.

Medium

Bogota, Colombia

Medium

Credible

The Sindicato Mixto de Trabajadores de las Universidades Publicas Nacionales (SINTRAUNAL) education workers’ union of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia (UNAL) has called for a protest march from the Plaza Francisco de Paula Santander (Plaza Che) in UNAL to Plaza de Bolivar from 09:00 (local time) on April 11.
The march is being held to support the indefinite strike carried out by UNAL students against the appointment of Ismael Pena as the new rector of the university on March 21.
The appointment resulted in subsequent protests on March 22 and April 4. Instances of unrest in the form of clashes between protestors and security forces and vandalism were recorded in both protests.

Based on social media estimates and precedent, the protest march is likely to witness a turnout between the high dozens to low hundreds.
Given that unrest was recorded in both protests, coupled with reports of allegedly hooded individuals breaking into a building in the university and perpetrating vandalism on April 8, there remains a credible threat of the upcoming protest escalating into unrest. This will likely be in the form of scuffles between the protestors and security forces, throwing stones at security personnel, and damaging vehicles in the vicinity. Should unrest occur, security forces are liable to use crowd dispersal measures such as tear gas.
Given this, bolstered security measures can be expected near UNAL and Plaza de Bolivar to prevent the escalation of protests and regulate traffic. An increased security presence can also be anticipated near Congreso and Casa de Narino presidential palace, given their proximity to the protest locations.
In addition, disruptions to vehicular and pedestrian traffic can be anticipated in the vicinity of the aforementioned locations, particularly along Avenida El Dorado and la Carrera 30 near UNAL, and thoroughfares during the slated timings.

Those residing or operating in Bogota on April 11 are advised to maintain heightened vigilance near the aforementioned protest locations and along the route of the protest march due to the potential for clashes between protestors and security forces.
Allot for disruptions to pedestrian and vehicular traffic in the vicinity of protest locations from the morning hours onwards.

Medium

Bogota, Colombia

Medium

Credible

Protest