Live from Bogota as protesters take to the streets again following deadly clashes

Ruptly is live from Bogota on Wednesday, May 5, as protesters take to the streets amid a national strike called by the country’s largest unions following five days of demonstrations against a proposed tax reform which led to 19 people being killed and hundreds injured. The proposed tax reform was supposed to increase taxes on individuals and businesses, and eliminate many exemptions. The government said the reform was aimed to help the country’s economy, which has been ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic, but critics argued the plan favoured the rich while placing more pressure on the poor and the middle class. Eventually, President Duque scrapped the proposed tax reform on Sunday. Similar demonstrations against Duque’s administration have been taking place since the end of 2019 over a variety of grievances, including corruption and unemployment, as well as indigenous rights and inequality.