Colombians protest tax increase proposal amid pandemic

[Judi Lynn]

2. Protesters March In Colombia Against Plan To Raise Taxes In Pandemic-Wracked Economy

April 30, 20214:03 PM ET
JOHN OTIS



Protesters wearing Guy Fawkes masks carry empty coffins during a national strike to protest a government-proposed tax reform, in Bogotá, Colombia, on Wednesday.
Fernando Vergara/AP

BOGOTÁ, Colombia — While marching in nationwide demonstrations this week, Pablo Mora wore a face mask to protect himself from the coronavirus. But every so often, the retired security guard took it off and blew a whistle to voice his disgust with Colombia's government.

COVID-19 deaths are spiking, the vaccine rollout has been slow and even though Colombia is still climbing out of its deepest economic downturn, President Iván Duque is trying to raise taxes. All this prompted massive protests in Bogotá, Medellín, Cali and other cities by shopkeepers, union leaders, teachers, university students and retirees.

As he took a breather from blowing his whistle, Mora, who is 72 but has yet to be vaccinated, said: "We feel totally abandoned by the government."

Colombian officials have tried to discourage the marches — which began Wednesday and have yet to die down — saying they could become coronavirus super-spreader events at a critical moment. Across Colombia, hospital intensive care units are nearly full and on Thursday the health authorities reported 505 deaths in a single day from COVID-19, a new record. Meanwhile, just a tiny fraction of Colombians have been vaccinated.

More:
https://www.npr.org/2021/04/30/992142575/protesters-march-in-colombia-against-plan-to-raise-taxes-in-pandemic-wracked-eco