Rejection of state terrorism, the stigmatization of the popular movement, social protest, and against the murders in Colombia within the framework of the national strike

Since April 28, 2021, the Colombian people have taken to the streets and raised their voices against the proposed tax reform promoted by the right-wing government, headed by President Iván Duque Márquez, his political party, the Democratic Center, and its leader, Álvaro Uribe Vélez, under the pretext of addressing the country's economic crisis. The reform, devised by Finance Minister Alberto Carrasquilla, the new president of the Inter-American Development Bank's (IDB) General Assemblies, follows the neoliberal playbook to the letter, as it sought to tax basic goods with VAT, aiming to have 73% of the revenue come from workers and 30% from small and medium-sized enterprises, leaving large national and transnational corporations untouched.

Despite Colombia experiencing its third peak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the public response to the tax reform, disguised as the “Sustainable Solidarity Law,” was one of absolute rejection. Powerful expressions of popular outrage against this reform united different social sectors in what has become a National Strike. To date, after six days of continuous mobilization, the government's response has been indifference, apathy, and a confrontational approach against the people through the excessive and abusive use of state security forces. On the orders of Álvaro Uribe Vélez, who called for the legitimate use of weapons by the Public Force, and followed by President Iván Duque, Colombian cities are being controlled by restrictive measures, including curfews. Furthermore, the disproportionate use of force to repress protesters and the militarization of the country are evident.

Today, Álvaro Uribe Vélez calls for strengthening the Armed Forces (Army and Police) and “resisting the molecular revolution” through “military assistance.” However, the result of these actions has been serious human rights violations against the civilian population expressing their discontent with the current government. This repression has resulted in approximately 940 cases of police abuse, 672 arbitrary detentions, 30 cases of firearms use, 4 cases of sexual violence by the National Police, and 35 homicides at the hands of the security forces, leaving cities in the Valle del Cauca Department, such as Cali and Palmira, among the most affected. State terrorism has been the way in which attempts have been made to control the irritation of the Colombian people with the precariousness of life, poverty, lack of opportunities, unemployment, corruption, structural violence, the elites and the rulers, which already goes beyond the slogan of opposition to the regressive and unconstitutional Tax Reform, whose initiative has already been withdrawn from the Congress of the Republic by the National Government to reach a consensus behind closed doors with some congressmen on some points, and resulted in the resignation of Alberto Carrasquilla as Minister of Finance and Public Credit.

The National Strike Committee has announced that the strike will continue, and the broad popular mobilization will persist throughout the country. Indigenous, Afro-Colombian, and Palenque organizations, as well as unions such as taxi and truck drivers, are participating with a list of demands that extends beyond tax reform. These demonstrations represent an absolute opposition to the capitalist way of life and enjoy widespread support and enthusiasm from the grassroots, who continue to protest in the streets, parks, neighborhoods, rural areas, and cities. The response to the fascist banners of stigmatization and restrictions on freedom and life, proclaimed by the Colombian National Government, remains dignified action, resistance, creativity, and solidarity among citizens.

Given this situation, from the CLACSO Working Group on Legal Critique and Sociopolitical Conflicts We are demonstrating:

1. Against the policies promoted by the National Government of Colombia to deepen the capitalist model, which contribute to inequality, injustice, and the death of the impoverished majority.
2. In rejection of state terrorism, imposed through militarization measures and abuses committed by the security forces
3. With concern about the systematic violation of International Human Rights Law by the President of the Republic of Colombia, Iván Duque Márquez
4. In favor of defending life and the just demands of the vast popular majorities in Colombia
5. In solidarity with all the Colombian people.

4 May 2021
CLACSO Working Group
Legal critique and sociopolitical conflicts

This statement expresses the position of the Working Group Legal critique and sociopolitical conflicts and not necessarily that of the centers and institutions that make up the CLACSO international network, its Steering Committee or its Executive Secretariat.