He died on the day he was supposed to get his school certificate

Due to a tragic death case, the since the days of protests in Colombia now has a name and a face. On Saturday, the 18-year-old student Dilan Cruz in the centre of Bogotá on a protest event, was it a tear gas grenade hit to the head. Paramedics had to resuscitate Cruz on-the-spot, he was taken to hospital, his condition was critical.

On Monday night, finally succumbed to Dilan Cruz to his injuries. He died the day he was supposed to be his graduate. The witness took on his Instead of his sister. "We want what happened to Dilan, is a Wake-up call for the whole country," said Denis Cruz, in tears in the Colegio Ricaurte, Dilana school. "The violence must stop."

Aware of specifically?

it is Possible, however, that exactly the opposite happens. That the protests might escalate. Dilana's death caused nation-wide dismay, especially because cell phone documents videos apparently, that a policeman fired the tear gas grenade, quite specifically, and in close to Cruz. For many people, the recordings are further proof that the government and the security forces with excessive violence to respond to the nationwide protests of the past few days.

Last Thursday, they had begun with a General strike and several protests. The criticism was directed in part against a planned labour market and pension reform, but also against inequality in the education system, violence against activists, environmental pollution and a growing stalemate in the peace process with the former guerrilla organization Farc.

weeks ago had called the various social groups and trade unions to the demonstrations. Then, however, there was serious unrest in Chile and Bolivia. The conservative government was worried that in Colombia, the mood could tip. President Iván Duque was therefore, as a precautionary measure, the borders lock and the police and the armed forces in high alert enable.

Even peaceful demonstrations were attacked with tear gas.

250'000 people at the rallies on Thursday were involved. They were largely peaceful, isolated but there was a riot and clashes with the police. Three people died, according to the government, more than a hundred demonstrators and policemen were injured. In several cities, the administrations imposed subsequently block the output, and is alone in the city of Bogotá, Enrique Peñalosa, according to the mayor in the result of almost 20'000 police officers and soldiers in the field. "We will not allow a tiny minority of criminals to destroy our city," he said.

Many people responded to the nightly curfew with the "Cacerolazos": From their Windows and balconies, beating pans and pots, in order to make their opinions heard. On Saturday, Sunday and Monday it came to large demonstrations with a part of tens of thousands of participants.

President Duque is in a deep crisis

in view of the continuing wave of protest presidential Duque promised a country-wide dialogue. On Sunday, he met with the mayors of the largest Colombian cities, and in the course of this week it should come to talks with the organisations of the General strike. 15. March to take the exchange, however, it is still unclear how citizens in this Dialog, you can participate.

President Duque has only been around for less than a year in office, yet his government is experiencing a deep popularity crisis. The Approval ratings are low, and in the municipal elections in October Duques party suffered heavy losses. Many social groups and trade unions have reacted with suspicion to the offer for dialogue. "The government of Iván Duque has actually solved any of the motives for the Protest," it said in a communication from the Central labor Union.

This drives people increasingly also another reason on the streets: The violence, with the police and the military against the demonstrators. Even peaceful demonstrations were attacked with tear gas, observers say. And the state office for the protection of civil and human rights expressed concern over the "excessive use of violence" on the part of the special forces . The attack on Dilan Cruz is the clearest example. Again and again, the protesters are holding posters in the air. It says: "We are all Dilan."

Created: 26.11.2019, 15:54 PM