Colombians March in Support of President Gustavo Petro
September 19, 2024 Hour: 12:04 pm
The reform of the elderly protection system unleashed the conspiratorial pretensions of traditional right-wing elites.
On Thursday, the Central Workers’ Union (CUT) called on Colombians to take to the streets to reaffirm their support for President Gustavo Petro in response to a possible coup attempt by far-right forces.
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“We will march against the coup because we understand that Uribismo has never stopped trying to destabilize the country,” said CUT President Fabio Arias, referring to the followers of far-right former president Álvaro Uribe.
“We will continue to defend the constitutional term for which 11 million Colombians voted. We will defend the institutions, and we will also march in support of the elderly’s demand to the Constitutional Court for the pension law to be declared constitutional,” he added.
“We will defend social reforms, especially the pension reform that guarantees dignified pensions for more than three million elderly people in Colombia, which is one of President Petro’s greatest achievements,” Arias emphasized.
Progressive social and political organizations will gather at various locations in Colombian cities to start the marches. The march in Bogotá will begin at 11:00 a.m. at Bolivar Square, while mobilizations in Medellín will start at 10:00 a.m. in Las Luces Park.
In Cali, the march will begin at Las Banderas Park at 9:00 a.m. and will travel along several main roads to the Plazoleta de la Gobernación. Meanwhile, in Bucaramanga, it will start at 2:30 p.m. at Puerta del Sol, and in Monteria at Los Laureles Park.
“The reform to the elderly protection system will provide a bonus to 3.2 million elderly men and women in Colombia. This reform is threatened by lawsuits from privileged individuals who do not want the poor to receive an additional US$53, which could help them with food and a dignified life. The reform is underway. We are making progress on its regulations. There is a significant threat that worries us, and we join the concerns raised by elderly people from many regions,” said Labor Minister Gloria Ines Ramirez.
teleSUR/ JF Sources: Polo Democratico
