BOGOTÁ, Colombia (AP) — Thousands of Colombians took to the streets Saturday to oppose the policies of President Gustavo Petro, who accused protesters of trying to destabilize the government.
Protesters in cities including Bogotá, Medellín and Cali denounced a series of proposed reforms in health care, the labor market and pensions and accused Petro’s government of corruption.
The crowd, which included retired military officials and opposition lawmakers, waved Colombian flags, while some protesters held signs reading “No to Petro-economy Reforms” and “No to Labor Reforms.”
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“I never expected that I would have to take to the streets to protest, to make my voice of rejection against this corruption heard,” said Luis Carlos Hernández as he marched through the streets of Bogotá calling Petro’s supporters “guerrilla bandits” mentioned.
Petro, a former left-wing guerrilla who has denied the charges, said only about 20,000 people took part in Saturday’s demonstrations, accusing them of trying to overthrow the government and mocking voters.
“In Colombia we will stop the coup,” he wrote on X.
Saturday’s protest is the latest rebuke to Petro’s reform agenda. The protests began after he took office in 2022, but have recently gained momentum.
