Colombia Demonstrations: Students, teachers & labor unions go on national strike

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02:34

Students, teachers and members of labor unions, have hit the streets in a national strike across 32 Colombian cities. CGTN's Michelle Begue reports from Bogota.

Hundreds of thousands of Colombian students are accusing the government of neglecting the country's education.

On Wednesday, students, and teachers took the streets of Bogota in the largest protest since they began their strike in October.

MIGUEL ANGEL GOMEZ ARCHITECTURAL STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE "We have had many protests, but we are at the critical point where some universities are about to close because of a lack of budget. So, we decided to get together nationally, and we have been on strike for the past 48 days."

Their biggest demand-a bigger national budget for public universities. While student unions are negotiating with government officials, students continue marching.

President Ivan Duque addressed the nation this week, saying he heard their concerns. Duque claims his government has passed the highest education budget in the country's history.

IVAN DUQUE PRESIDENT OF COLOMBIA "We have made a huge effort in the middle of severe restrictions. That is why I invite students to value this and continue to contribute ideas about the future in these next four years."

The workers union and political parties joined Wednesday's demonstrations, declared their opposition to the Duque government. Their biggest complaint is over government tax reforms, which at one point included a value-added tax to basic goods like bread and fruit.

MANUEL SARMIENTO LOCAL OFFICIAL, POLO DEMOCRATIC PARTY "This financial reform by President Duque hopes to raise taxes for the poorest people in the country with the objective to lower taxes for transnational companies and largest corporations."

While mounting opposition forced the government to withdraw its initial plan to tax basic food items, workers unions continue to express discontent over Duque's policies.

DIOJENES ORJUELA PRESIDENT, CENTRAL WORKERS UNION "Tomorrow, 7 a.m., we will hold a meeting to define what we do moving forward if the government ignores these citizen expressions."

MICHELLE BEGUE BOGOTA "Protests are taking place across 32 cities of Colombia and that is why this is being called the 'Tomas de Capitales'-the 'Takeover of Cities.'"

Michelle Begue, CGTN, Colombia.