In Bogotá, a Wednesday of unrest left a sizable number of people injured as a group of locals gathered in the capital to express their grievances. Official figures indicate that at least 28 individuals were wounded, including 14 members of the police forces. Authorities also reported the detention of two people connected to violent incidents during the demonstrations.
The protests began around 9:00 in the morning in the city center, drawing roughly 200 residents who voiced opposition to what they described as violations of agreements reached between national authorities and regional governments. Local media covered the scene as crowds moved through central corridors, with lanes around several government and commercial facilities temporarily blocked as tensions escalated. Reports indicate that some participants clashed with law enforcement, resulting in injuries on both sides and creating a tense security atmosphere in the area.
Officials conveyed that there were attempts by some demonstrators to seize control of specific properties, and that merchants and bystanders were affected by the disorder. Police intervention followed these disruptive acts, after which the area was declared secure and authorities resumed normal operations. Felipe Jiménez Ángel, the secretary of the Government of Bogotá, stated that security forces acted to restore order and that normalcy gradually returned to the epicenter of the protests.
“An attack on a police officer will never be a protest”
President Gustavo Petro spoke out to condemn the events in the capital, emphasizing that both members of the Public Force and civilians were injured. He underscored that dialogue is essential to prevent violence, and he asserted that aggression against a police officer cannot be considered protest action. He communicated these views through a series of posts on his social media channels, highlighting that violations against officers in vulnerable situations constitute human rights concerns as well.
Lack of dialogue often precedes violence. The president rejected and condemned the day’s events in Bogotá, noting the injuries sustained by a significant number of people, including security personnel and civilians. He reiterated that harming police officers is not a legitimate form of protest.
– Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) 19 October 2022
Bogotá’s mayor, Claudia López, responded to the president’s remarks by thanking him for his clear stance against violence and for his support in addressing the incident. She acknowledged the need for rapid resolution and stressed that Bogotá normally maintains a posture of dialogue and coexistence. In her view, today’s disruptions violated that commitment and challenged the city’s governance norms.
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Iván Velásquez commented that no rationale could justify the aggression witnessed. He pledged that those responsible would be investigated and held accountable. In a bid to deter further violence and aid investigations, authorities offered a reward of up to 50 million pesos for information leading to the identification of those involved in the assaults. A poster featuring images of around twenty of the most wanted suspects was distributed to assist in the inquiry.
The events drew scrutiny from multiple city officials and national security representatives who stressed the importance of upholding the rule of law while ensuring public safety. The episode prompted discussions on how best to balance the right to peaceful assembly with the obligations of authorities to safeguard civilians and property during demonstrations. As investigations continue, the city aims to review security protocols and community engagement strategies to prevent a recurrence of similar violence in the future.