An analysis of videos, combined with witness interviews, shows egregious and indiscriminate use of force by Colombia's national police. At least 44 have been killed during protests over economic disparity that started over a month ago. nytimes.com/2021/05/27/vid…
From clubbing protestors in custody to fatally shooting a 17-year-old in the back — the @nytimes Visual Investigations team highlights five instances that exemplify the violent, and sometimes deadly, ways Colombia’s police quelled the protests. ⤵️
First, let's look at an instance of assault in custody. This video, from Pereira on May 1, captures demonstrators running away. Two of them attempt to hide, but officers find them. An officer then kicks one of them into a glass display case that breaks. nytimes.com/2021/05/27/vid…
Second, reckless use of live fire. In this video, we see five protesters being lined up by officers along a fence in Cali's Siloé neighbourhood on May 3. Then, five shots are heard. One person seen here in custody told us the police fired live rounds near their feet.
Shortly after, the detainees were loaded into a van and taken into temporary detention, one of the victims told @nytimes when we visited the location. He said the police threatened to burn his body and dump it in the Cuaca River. “I thought they were going to kill me.”
Third, this video shows an officer firing a less-lethal munition at a person from close range. The police were trying to clear protesters blocking the Simón Bolívar highway near Cali's Calipso on April 30. Fired at this distance, less-lethal munition can do serious harm or kill.
Rosemberg Duglas, another protester, was reportedly killed around the same spot that same day after an officer shot him from close range with a tear gas canister.
https://twitter.com/cerosetenta/status/1397145516815917069
Fourth, clearly identifiable volunteer medics were also shot at by ESMAD with less-lethal munition while helping an injured protester, this video by @_ste_ban_ shows. It took place on May 18 near the Portal de las Américas in Bogotá. nytimes.com/2021/05/27/vid…
Fifth, the police have also killed protesters with live fire. One of the well-documented cases is that of 17-year-old Marcelo Agredo Inchima. The 17-year-old protester was shot from behind as he ran away from an officer he had just kicked. cuestionpublica.com/monologos-del-…
The Colombian police have opened 157 investigations of alleged misconduct by their officers, 11 for homicide. They also said they’re being attacked by “fake news,” stating that protesters aren't the only victims. Two police officers were killed and 35 more shot, the police says.
Earlier this month, the @nytimes Visual Investigations team asked your help identifying more details about two videos related to the protests in Colombia. We’d like to update you what we found.
Thanks to your tips, @MrOlmos visited the exact location of this incident: a Tiendas D1 store on Cali's Carrera 1. Neighbours told @nytimes the store was looted on May 4 and that the police was responding to this. It's unclear whether anyone was shot.
https://twitter.com/trbrtc/status/1391858759270649866
Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to find any further information about this case yet. Please let us know if you know more about it. Our team will continue to monitor the protests in Colombia. Feel free to send tips via DM.
https://twitter.com/trbrtc/status/1391861740351152133
As always, our Visual Investigations are a team effort: @_stella_cooper @ntabrizy @trbrtc @docubrent @MrOlmos Ben Laffin @johnismay @sameenamin @markscheffler @therealDahliak. You can subscribe to our newsletter here: nytimes.com/newsletters/vi…
Last but not least, a big thanks to @jhonjacome, @DianaSalinasP and hundreds in Colombia that shared visual evidence and insights with us.
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