Refugees take over Bogota bank branch

Some 300 refugees from Bogota’s Parque Tercer Milenio took over the headquarters of the Agricultural Bank in Colombia’s capital city on Tuesday night.

The group of 300 displaced people, relocated to Bogota due to conflict in their regions, gathered outside the doors of the Bank in the district of Chapinero for the the majority of last night, reported news station Radio Santa Fe on Wednesday.

According to the refugees – disillusioned and exhausted men, women and children – they took over the bank in order to demand that the national government meet the promises they made some three months ago regarding the payment of subsidies to the refugees and the committments to helping them leave Tercer Milenio and return to their homelands.

The refugees are hoping that by resorting to pressure by taking over a bank in the capital city, they can oblige the government to carry out the promises that they have failed to accomplish so far, leaving hundreds of people in limbo for months, camped in the dubious conditions of Parque Tercer Milenio.

Authorities are currently monitoring the situation, to control any further outbreak of disorder. The displaced people aim to consolidate plans with the government on Wednesday.

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