Colombia opposition groups launch protest against de la Espriella’s cuts

A coalition of opposition parties, trade unions, indigenous groups and social movements has protested in Colombia against a series of economic and security policies advanced under right-wing President Abelardo de la Espriella. Thousands marched in major cities including the capital Bogota on Wednesday, the first day of a nationwide campaign led by the country’s former left-wing President Gustavo Petro. Under Petro, Colombia expanded access to public universities, increased the minimum wage and improved labour protections for workers. Opposition groups say many of those reforms are now under threat, as de la Espriella’s government embraces cuts to government programmes. Colombia’s Congress has until Tuesday to approve its 2027 fiscal year budget.