• About
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Write for us
  • Contact
  • Terms of service
Saturday, June 25, 2022
The Millennial Source
TMS
Home WORLD

What’s happening in Colombia?

bySughnen Yongo-Okochi
May 9, 2021
in WORLD
What’s happening in Columbia?

Source: Luisa Gonzalez, Reuters

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linkedin
Around 26 people have died and more than 900 have been injured in protests over tax reforms proposed by Colombia’s president, which were meant to rescue the economy and aid the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Colombia recently saw several days of protests following a tax reform plan proposed by its president, Iván Duque Márquez. 
  • So far the protests have resulted in more than 26 deaths and triggered enormous political unrest within the country.
  • Colombians began to protest on April 28, 2021, following the revelation of the president’s tax reform agenda.

What happened?

  • Around 26 people have died and more than 900 have been injured in protests over the proposed tax reforms, which were meant to rescue the economy and aid the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Although Márquez said the objective of the reforms was aimed at helping to rejuvenate the economy, the plan has been criticized by Colombians as favoring the wealthy.
  • The tax reform plan also included new taxes on businesses and citizens as well as on the sale of food and some utilities. 
  • Colombia’s working class allege that the agenda would further drain them financially after the pandemic had already done so to a significant degree.
  • The protests have seen thousands pour into the streets over issues of economic inequality and rising poverty levels in the country.
  • After pressure brought by the protests and opposition in the legislature, the president announced he would withdraw his proposed tax reform. “I am asking Congress to withdraw the law proposed by the finance ministry and urgently process a new law that is the fruit of consensus in order to avoid financial uncertainty,” he said.
  • Many Colombians regarded the announcement as a victory.

What did the tax plan propose?

  • The tax plan, known as the Sustainable Social Transformation Reform, was intended to raise revenue for the state by about US$6.3 billion.
  • Colombia’s gross domestic product (GDP) dropped by 6.8% last year and the pandemic has further driven up the country’s unemployment rate. 
  • According to reports, the proposed reforms would have lowered the threshold of taxed salaries, affecting anyone with a monthly income of US$656 or more.
  • Márquez is pushing for about US$6 billion in tax increases to balance the budget and pay for emergency food handouts and other social programs.

International reaction

  • Social media has been flooded with pictures and videos of police officers using excessive force on protesters.
  • The United Nations has urged Colombia’s government to defend the fundamental rights of its protesters and has advised the police against using unnecessary force on citizens.
  • Colombia’s president has blamed drug trafficking criminals for vandalism caused over the course of the protests. He has also promised that there will be an open dialogue between the protesters and the government moving forward.

Have a tip or story? Get in touch with our reporters at [email protected]

Like TMS? Subscribe to our free daily newsletter

Related

Tags: Longer readPoliticsSouth America
ShareTweetShare

Latest Posts

US gun legislation

US Senate agrees to fast-track new gun law

June 23, 2022
January 6 hearings

The fourth day of the January 6 hearings show Trump’s pressure campaign on election officials

June 22, 2022
January 6 hearings

US House of Representatives holds primetime TV hearings on the January 6 attack on the Capitol. Here’s what you need to know

June 13, 2022

Australia says a Chinese military jet created a “dangerous maneuver” at the South China Sea

June 7, 2022

UK’s Boris Johnson survives a vote of no confidence

June 7, 2022

France’s Macron says it’s important to avoid humiliating Putin

June 6, 2022

Biden to travel to Saudi Arabia this month to alleviate oil prices as OPEC+ increases production

June 3, 2022

US President Joe Biden says he’s prepared for possible North Korea nuclear test during Asia tour

May 23, 2022

Labor Party leader Anthony Albanese claims victory as Australia’s 31st prime minister, ending nearly a decade of conservative rule

May 23, 2022

SUBSCRIBE TO THE TMS NEWSLETTER

By providing your email, you agree to our Privacy Policy

The Millennial Source Ltd. 2021

No Result
View All Result
  • Your daily briefing
  • About us
  • Explore
    • Startups
    • Climate change
    • Tech giants
    • Crypto
    • The future of work
    • Banking giants
    • Economy
  • Lifestyle
  • Human stories
  • TMS archives
  • Write for us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy & Terms

2022 The Millennial Source Ltd.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings.

string(24) "jsonld single post debug"
The Millennial Source
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.