Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who took office on August 7, faced the first major demonstrations of his term this Monday (26). Thousands of people took to the streets of the capital, Bogotá, and other large cities, such as Medellín and Cali, to protest against the reforms announced in the tax, social security and electoral areas, as well as the increase in fuel prices.
The organizer of the Great National March, Pierre Onzaga, declared that the proposed reform in taxation, which provides for more taxes for those who earn more and on hydrocarbons, will make life difficult for the entire Colombian population, not just those with higher incomes.
“We saw that they told the country that this reform was for the richest 4,000 Colombians, but it seems to be for the richest 48 million Colombians. [população total do país]. It has already been said that the basic food basket will not be taxed, but will end up being [mais impostos sobre] plastic and gasoline. What we are saying here is that we found several things that were sold to the people, but in practice they are not being carried out”, he criticized.
He further alleged that the reform of the Electoral Code threatens democracy in the country. “They will be able to close a party or a partisan movement through signatures if it does not meet the criteria that this mega-organism will have. [Conselho Nacional Eleitoral]” said Onzaga.
This Monday, Petro was in the department of Norte de Santander for the formal reopening of the border with Venezuela, which has been closed to vehicle traffic for seven years. On the Venezuelan side, the governor of the state of Táchira, Freddy Bernal, and representatives of the ministries of Transport and Industry were present.
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