Bogotá, (EFE).- Tens of thousands of Colombians took to the streets across the country on Sunday in a peaceful demonstration to denounce political violence and express support for democracy, following a recent wave of deadly attacks and an assassination attempt on Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay.
The “March of Silence,” held in over 20 cities, saw its largest turnout in Bogotá, where demonstrators gathered early in the morning at the National Park and walked to Bolívar Square, the heart of the capital.
Waving Colombian flags, wearing yellow football jerseys, and holding white balloons reading “Estamos contigo, Miguel” (We’re with you, Miguel), the crowd recited the Catholic “Credo” prayer before setting off.
“We are here in solidarity with Miguel Uribe and his family, rejecting violence and calling on all Colombians to rise in defense of democracy,” said Bogotá Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán, who joined the marchers.
Senator Uribe Turbay, a 39-year-old member of the right-wing Centro Democráctico party, was critically injured in an armed attack on Jun. 7.
Just days later, a coordinated terrorist assault left eight dead and more than 80 wounded in the southwest of the country, prompting urgent calls for national unity.
Political tensions escalate as citizens demand respect for democracy
The demonstrations occur amid rising political tension surrounding Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s controversial decree, which calls for a public referendum on labor reform, a proposal rejected by the Senate.
Legal experts and political opponents have questioned the constitutionality of the move.
Prominent political figures from across the spectrum participated in the Bogotá march, including former presidential candidate Sergio Fajardo, former Foreign Minister María Ángela Holguín, and former senators Juan Manuel Galán and Jorge Enrique Robledo.
“The people are here today. We are the people,” retired National Police Major General Eliécer Camacho told EFE.
He said he joined the march to reject what he described as an “attempted assassination” of Uribe and to condemn what he sees as a climate of hostility encouraged by government rhetoric.
“These hate-filled speeches by the government lead to the killing of people who share our ideas, our candidates,” Camacho added.
“We also march in support of the police and military who are under attack, not only physically, but also institutionally. There is indifference from the Ministry of Defense toward men and women fighting increasingly powerful terrorist groups funded by drug trafficking.”
Nationwide solidarity
Cities across Colombia joined the call, including Medellín, Cali, Barranquilla, Cúcuta, and many others.
In Capital, the third biggest city of Colombia, recently hit by three motorcycle bombings that killed two and wounded 42, the march began at the city’s Parque de las Banderas with a sea of participants dressed in white.
Cries of “Fuerza, Miguel!” (Stay strong, Miguel”) echoed throughout the marches, reinforcing a unified message against violence and political intimidation.
Musician Juanes, a Medellín native, expressed his support online, “May God give us clarity and wisdom to emerge from the darkness and lead our beloved Colombia toward real peace,” he wrote.
While the marches remained peaceful, they were underscored by the country’s ongoing security crisis and growing distrust in political institutions.
Nevertheless, Sunday’s mobilization marked a rare moment of national consensus, as citizens across ideological lines rallied for stability, security, and democratic values. EFE
ocm-joc/seo
