Protests in Colombia over death in police custody

Violent clashes triggered by the death of a man under police custody in the Colombian capital of Bogota continued Thursday, with angry citizens setting fire to city buses, destroying police stations and confronting officers in clashes that have killed seven people so far.

Police deployed 1,500 additional officers and 300 soldiers throughout Bogota.

Those killed in the protests are mostly young. The youngest was 17 years old.

The wave of violence erupted on Wednesday over a video showing two officers holding down a 43-year-old man being tasered as he begged them to stop, and highlights long simmering tensions over excessive use of force by police.

Authorities said Thursday that 56 police stations were damaged, eight city buses burned and 175 civilians injured during the unrest, including 66 hit by bullets.

A thorough investigation has been promised by authorities, though relatives expressed skepticism that they would see justice in a country with high levels of impunity.

Police in Colombia were repeatedly accused of excessive use of force during anti-government protests that brought thousands to the street last year.

The new unrest comes at a time of protests in the United States over racial discrimination and police abuse against Black citizens.

The Colombia protests are more closely tied to abuse against the young and poor.

Taking a cue from the US, the hashtag #ColombiaLives Matter began trending on Twitter.

Colombia is emerging from a five-month lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus.

Millions have lost their jobs, nearly 700,000 have been infected by the virus, and over 22,000 people have died from COVID-19.

Authorities asked citizens to cease acts of violence and vandalism.