A recent report by the Colombian Center for Research and Popular Education (Cinep) has documented that in 2013 there were 1,027 protests in the country, the most recorded in a calendar year since 1975.
The report’s figures indicate that of the protests throughout the year, 11% were strikes and social protests organized by coffee farmers, miners, truckers, port workers, and contractors for multinational mining and oil companies.
MORE: 2013: The year of social protest and repression in Colombia (Pt 1)
According to Cinep, the three factors responsible for the social protests are “Disputes concerning the openness of the extractive economic model, the rejection by the state of social conflicts, and the cultural aspects and political implications of them.”
The report stated that, “23% of the struggles focused on habitat-related aspects: land and housing, public services, physical infrastructure and environmental problems.”
The report also said that about a third of the demonstrators were urban dwellers. Employees made up 17 %, students accounted for 13%, whilst farmers 12% and the self-employed 11%.
Colombia is currently experiencing nationwide strikes and protests by the country’s agrarian sector. Colombian farmers and small-cale miners started the national protests on Monday over the government’s alleged failure to comply with promises made after similar strikes in August 2013 that left five dead, and hundreds hospitalized or in jail.
MORE: Colombian agrarian strikes continue as negotiations with govt. stall