Elections Observers denied Entry to Colombia

Todays’ episode: Elections Observers denied entry to
Colombia


Co-Host: CODEPINK Latin America policy expert Leonardo Flores.


Guest: Nestor Cristancho of Canal 2, Cali, Colombia


On Sunday, May 29 Colombians will vote for President. The
election comes at a difficult moment for the country. Polls show
widespread dissatisfaction with the government of the current
president, Ivan Duque and frustration over chronic poverty, a
widening income gap and insecurity, all of which have worsened
during the pandemic.


Among those hurt the most by these problems are younger
Colombians, who are likely to play a big role in determining
whether or not the country takes a step to the left.


Young people led anti-government protests that filled the streets
of Colombia last year, dominating the national conversation for
weeks. At least 46 people died — many of them young, unarmed
protesters and many at the hands of the police — in what became
referred to as the “national strike.” or Paro Nacional


Some analysts expect young people to vote in record numbers,
energized not just by the Pacto Historico presidential candidate
Gustavo Petro, but also by his running mate, Francia Márquez, a
40 year old environmental activist with a gender, race and
class-conscious focus who would be the country’s first Black vice
president.


Additional Links:


Colombia Erupts against Neoliberalism


Colombia Protesting Neoliberalism


Election Primaries move Colombia Left





In partnership with Friends of Latin
America, Massachusetts Peace Action and Task Force
on the Americas, original broadcasts of WTF is Going on in Latin
America & the Caribbean can be viewed every Wednesday at
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