Colombia: Cali’s Mayor Declares Curfew Amid National Strike
“No citizen of Cali can be on the street after that time because he will be arrested,” said the mayor of Cali.
The mayor of Cali, Maurice Armitage, on Thursday declared a curfew starting at 7:00 p.m. (local time), in the middle of the march in that city for the day of national strike.
“After seeing the demonstration of some 20 thousand people who attended in peace until the CAM, I have no choice but to decree the curfew from 7:00 pm,” Armitage told local press.
The mayor said the measure responds to “a series of vandals, bad actors and criminals” who “are robbing and looting businesses,” on whom -he said- will fall the full weight of the law.
“No citizen of Cali can be on the street after that time because he will be arrested,” said the mayor and warned “everyone is warned.”
#ÚltimaHora El alcalde de Cali, Maurice Armitage, acaba de declarar toque de queda en la ciudad a partir de las 7:00 p.m. “Ningún ciudadano de Cali puede estar en la calle a partir de esa hora porque será detenido”, dice. pic.twitter.com/fZncsVqjoS
— El País Cali (@elpaiscali) November 21, 2019
For his part, the Secretary of Security and Justice of Cali, Andrés Villamizar, confirmed the curfew, which was already reported to the Ministry of Defense and the National Government.
Villamizar said that the authorities in Cali “are not going to allow the city to be kidnapped by a few criminals. The army and the police will enforce the measure.”
This November 21 Colombia lived a day of national work stoppage with massive marches in several cities of the South American country. Colombians reject the policies of President Iván Duque.
The mobilizations were joined by indigenous people, peasants, workers, students and other popular sectors. The protest is directed towards the labor reform and the government pension reform because they reduce their rights. However, President Duque denies the existence of these measures.
Colombians also repudiate government corruption and privatizations.
Featured image: In Cali thousands took to the streets on the day of national unemployment to reject the measures of President Iván Duque. | Photo: Weather
Translated by JRE/EF
