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Updated May 4th, 2021 at 12:39 IST

Sixth day of anti-government protests in Colombia

Protests against President Iván Duque's economic policies resumed on Monday for the sixth consecutive day with teachers' and students' protests and road blockades by truckers.

Sixth day of anti-government protests in Colombia
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Protests against President Iván Duque's economic policies resumed on Monday for the sixth consecutive day with teachers' and students' protests and road blockades by truckers.

Colombia's finance minister resigned on Monday following various days of protests over a tax reform proposal that left at least 17 dead.

Alberto Carrasquilla's resignation comes a day after President Iván Duque withdrew the tax plan from congress in response to the protests, which have included riots and violent clashes with police.

According to Colombia's Human Rights Ombudsman, 16 protesters have been killed since Wednesday as well as a policeman who was stabbed to death.

The finance minister's plan included a 19% sales tax on gasoline, as well as an effort to expand the country's tax base by charging income taxes to people making 700 US dollars a month or more.

Carrasquilla had also proposed a 19% sales tax on utilities in middle-class neighborhoods, and a wealth tax for individuals with a net worth of 1.3 million US dollars or more.

The government said it needs the money to pay for healthcare improvements and to continue implementing a basic income scheme that started during the pandemic.

But the tax plan was rejected by most political parties – currently preparing for elections in 2021 – and also angered unions, student groups and small business leaders whose incomes have been affected by the pandemic.

Protesters asked the government to raise corporate taxes and decrease military spending instead of taxing the middle class.

Colombia's president on Sunday encouraged politicians to come together and design another tax plan.

 

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Published May 4th, 2021 at 12:39 IST

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