Colombia opposition groups launch protest against de la Espriella’s cuts

What the report says

Thousands of people marched in Bogota and other Colombian cities on Wednesday as opposition parties, trade unions, Indigenous groups and social movements launched a nationwide protest campaign against President Abelardo de la Espriella’s economic and security agenda, according to Al Jazeera. The demonstrations were organized with backing from former president Gustavo Petro, who joined the rallies in the capital on the first day of the campaign.

The protest coalition says de la Espriella’s austerity plans threaten reforms introduced under Petro, including expanded access to public universities, a higher minimum wage and stronger labour protections. Al Jazeera reported that allies of the new president are pushing spending cuts as Congress weighs approval of the 2027 budget. De la Espriella, a right-wing businessman and former defence lawyer elected in June and sworn in in August, has promised a more market-oriented approach and a tougher line on crime, immigration and the size of government.

The government responded by issuing new police rules ahead of the marches, giving officers broader authority to act against vandalism and disruptions to essential services. De la Espriella said peaceful protest is allowed but violence and blockades will not be tolerated. Critics, however, said the demonstrations were largely peaceful.

Some marchers also objected to the government’s foreign policy shift toward Israel. Al Jazeera reported that Colombia opened an embassy in Jerusalem the same day, while protesters carried Palestinian flags and accused the administration of reversing Petro’s stance on the conflict.