BOGOTA: Colombia's leftist president called thousands of supporters to the streets, a political show of strength in an effort to press lawmakers into passing stalled health and labour reforms. In major cities from Bogota to Medellin, thousands of Gustavo Petro's supporters blocked streets, waved flags and chanted slogans of support.
Petro, 64, is the first leftist president in Colombia's history, but has failed to pass the bulk of his reformist agenda through Congress. With little more than a year left in his four-year term, Petro is now in a race to fulfil key pledges and cement his political legacy.
Petro has blamed powerful business interests for blocking reforms, which among other measures would give workers extra pay for working nights, Sundays or public holidays. He joined the march in Bogota's Plaza de Bolivar, telling protesters that a corrupt "oligarchy" has "betrayed the Colombian people, for greed and for money." "Colombia's Congress is turning its back on the people," he said, demanding a referendum on the reforms. — AFP
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