Some 5,000 people took part in a march organized by indigenous rights groups to protest against a 2009 U.S.-Colombia military pact and to demand to be involved in Colombian politics.
The indigenous initiative was supported by students, labor unions and civil organizations and caused chaos in Bogota traffic as the protestors went from the capital's National University campus to the central Plaza de Bolivar.
The demonstration came a day after the celebration of Colombia's 200-year independence from Spain. The protestors claim that the deal allowing the U.S. access to at least Colombian military bases is affecting the country's sovereignty and independence.
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Comments (2)
gringobos
said:
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... it is interesting they had no issue last year when the deal was stuck, sounds like someone is pulling thier strings.......and of course students are more then happy to jump into any protest against the government. having said that I do feel Colombia fails to address their issues they face and that discrimination is one of them. |
aNDI
said:
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... I think they did have a problem last year and many of the leaders who spoke out were murdered, their issues have never been properly addressed by the colombian goverment and it has always failed to deliver on any of its promises, some tribes are facing extinction, Their lands are all part of the FTA's that are being signed as uribe has promised 50% of colombia for mining and extraction of raw materials. There is nothing worse for our Indian aboriginal (amazing and beautiful) community as any US backed war would end up fighting in their lands and their Jungles and they will make up the thousands of innocent victims falsely labelled as guerrillas for defending themselves. ( You know how the media will spin it) Headlines 1 us soldier died today, killed by marxist narco-terrorist guerrilas, they will not mention they were indians defending their homeland and that probably 300 were killed. Just like vietnam |
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