3) Buenaventura, which has the biggest Maritime port in Colombia brought the nation to it's knees in 2017 in exactly this manner. If Guajira joins the effort, much of the Northern Coast will be brought to a screeching halt as well
Unions and indigenous communities matter here
Unions and indigenous communities matter here
4) Meanwhile Protesters are set to march in most major cities. Bogota has a long history of activism, especially among student groups who regularly clash w police, but usually their protests don't have much staying power.
Will this time be different? Maybe #ParoNacional21Nov
Will this time be different? Maybe #ParoNacional21Nov
5) They have support from Unions, transportation workers, the Catholic church and a wide coalition of political parties. Police response will be a huge factor. If protesters are seen as being suppressed, that is likely to ignite their passions, and their staying power
6) My prediction? As I said, it all depends on Cauca. A show for the cameras is important for the movements success, but without a real economic impact, it seems unlikely to affect government policy beyond some bad PR
In the meantime...
In the meantime...
7) There will def be clashes with police. There always are. Hopefully they are small and relatively benign. Without National participation, protests in Bogota are unlikely to last beyond the weekend. But I've got my gear ready and will be on the street #ParoNacional21Nov
8) Indigenous people have expressed worry about attacks by paramilitaries, who at least informally support the right wing government here. I dunno, anything is possible
But if that happens, protests in the cities might escalate in response
But if that happens, protests in the cities might escalate in response
OPEN:
looks like small protests are already flaring up. Students blocked one of the main highways in Medellin
looks like small protests are already flaring up. Students blocked one of the main highways in Medellin
All depends on Valle de Cauca. Dammit
