On 27 November 2019, anti-government demonstrations are ongoing for a seventh consecutive day in Colombia, as unions and student groups launched a national strike. Protesters are blocking roads in the capital Bogotá, including Autopista Sur highway. Roadblocks have also been reported in the southwestern city of Cali. Further demonstrations are expected to occur across the country throughout the day. The National Strike Committee has demanded that the government address the excessive use of force by police officers after a protester who was hit by a projectile in clashes that occurred during a previous protest in Bogotá died on 25 November. The committee has demanded that the government meet with its members separately from a “national dialogue” with business leaders and other groups in order to facilitate negotiations.
Additionally, on the evening of 26 November clashes broke out between protesters and police officers near the National University of Colombia in Bogotá. Students had peacefully gathered outside of the university before tensions escalated. Police officers fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters; there were no reported injuries.
