Civil Unrest in Columbia as a Fallout of Economic, Political and Social Derangement

Abstract

Republic of Colombia credited as the fourth-largest economy in Latin America, faced economic turmoil due to COVID 19 pandemic, corruption in state machinery and mismanagement of economic resources. Columbia is also regarded as second most populous democracy in South America and an important ally of USA in its combat against drug trafficking. Economy had been the hardest hit and lockdown measures led to economic activities shrinking further. There was reduction in job opportunities, spike in unemployment and rise in level of poverty. Healthcare sector struggled with whooping number of infected cases and death rate mounted high. Poor people suffered more than their affluent counterpart. Protest broke out in 2019 when thousands of injustice-stricken people took to the streets for rescind of pernicious tax reform, better wages and higher fund allocation for education. Many youngsters are devoid of education and unfit for salaried job. There was a claim for free education and job subsidy but prospect of both remained dimmed as Colombia’s foreign currency debt worsened in 2020. The proposed tax reform bill of April 2021 infuriated dissenters and sparked protests for weeks. President of Colombia, Iván Duque had no choice but to repeal the tax reform. Violent crackdown on protesters by Colombia’s security forces brought criticism from international bodies and human rights group in May 2021.