A spokesperson for the National Strike Committee stated that the struggle for better social and economic policies will continue.

Leader of Mass anti-government protests In Colombia, they said they planned to suspend weekly demonstrations, but promised to continue to fight for extensive social and economic reforms.

Francisco Maltes, a spokesman for the National Strike Committee, said on Tuesday that umbrella groups of unions, student organizations and other organizations had decided to “temporarily” suspend the protests that took place on Wednesday.

“This does not mean that the protests will stop in Colombia,” Maltes said. “Colombia protest Will continue because the reasons behind it still exist. “

Anti-government demonstration The right-wing government broke out in South American countries in late April President Ivan Duque Introduced a tax reform that has now been cancelled, critics claim that the reform will disproportionately harm the middle class and the working class.

Large gatherings continued, and the protesters expanded their list of demands to include health and education reforms, police reforms, and a guaranteed basic income for millions of people.

Violence is also escalating, especially in Cali, the country’s third largest city. Become a protest center.

Most correct death toll Issues related to the protests are still controversial, but human rights groups say dozens of people have been killed by security forces.

Human Rights Watch in A report from last week The Colombian army committed “shocking” abuses to “mainly peaceful demonstrators” during large-scale demonstrations over several weeks and called on the government to “take urgent measures” to protect human rights.

Protest leaders on Tuesday accused the Duke government of undermining efforts to begin negotiations after it cancelled negotiations earlier this month.

The government said in a statement that the government is committed to negotiations and reiterated that roadblocks across the country do not constitute peaceful protests.

After 6 weeks of mobilization, #ColombiaNational Strike Committee #ParoNacional Turn to politics.

The focus will shift to finalizing local petitions, holding public gatherings, and building political infrastructure and consensus

The next protest July 20https://t.co/RNev2sWIim

— Elizabeth Dickinson (@dickinsonbeth) June 15, 2021

blockade Activities related to the demonstrations led to shortages of some basic commodities and price increases. The Ministry of Finance stated that the economic losses totaled more than US$3 billion.

At the same time, Malt said that the trade unions and business associations will meet to draft the bill at a new meeting on July 20 and share it with Congress. Another protest is expected that day.

“We hope that Congress and legislators will not disappoint Colombians like President Ivan Duque,” he said.