Report reveals 83 murders during 2021 nationwide strike in Colombia

Report reveals 83 murders during 2021 nationwide strike in Colombia

The Colombian Studies Institute for Development and Peace (Indepaz) revealed this Saturday the balance left by the national strike from April 28 to July 15, 2021, which has seen 83 killings in different departments of the country.

According to the report of the 83 reported killings, 44 were believed to have been committed by members of the public authorities, most notably the Mobile Anti-Riot Squad (Esmad). At the same time, 96 victims of eye violence are recorded.

The uniform states that there were 32 homicides by firearms, seven by device impact, two by tear gas inhalation, one by being run over by an Esmad tank and one by beatings.

Moving on to the details of the murders: The city of Cali has the highest number of murders with 25, followed by Bogotá (capital) with four and Yumbo with three.

It also denounces that at least 35 people have been victims of sexual violence at the hands of the Public Force, “56 cases of respiratory illnesses due to tear gas inhalation,” adds the NGO Tremors.

Tremors and human rights organizations also report a total of 2,053 arbitrary arrests of demonstrators.

During the national strike, 14,175 activities were carried out, broken down as follows: 7,415 rallies, 3,415 blockades, 2,475 marches, 678 demonstrations and 40 popular assemblies.