Colombian authorities are investigating 10 police officers who allowed civilians to shoot at demonstrators in Cali, according to a high-ranking official on Monday.
The Andean country has seen more than a month of protests against the social and economic policies of the government of President Ivan Duque. The demonstrations were sparked by a now-withdrawn proposed tax reform.
Since the tax reform was withdrawn, protesters’ demands have expanded to include a basic income, opportunities for young people and an end to police violence, including the dissolution of the feared anti-riot unit ESMAD.
Colombia’s third-largest city Cali, which has become an epicenter for protests, once more saw bloodshed on Friday with civilians and even an off-duty agent of the attorney general’s office shooting at demonstrators, the attorney general said.
General Jorge Luis Vargas, director of Colombia’s national police, said An investigation has been launched to identify those who broke the law in Cali.
He added that information concerning officers who may have broken the law or not performed their duties has been sent to the military justice unit.
Over the weekend Cali Mayor Jorge Ivan Ospina reported more than a dozen violent deaths took place in the city on Friday and reported armed men shooting at demonstrators in the presence of the police.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, on Sunday called for those responsible for the violence in Cali to be held accountable.
She added it was essential that all those reportedly involved in causing injury or death, including state officials, are subject to prompt, effective, independent, investigations and those responsible are held accountable.
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