Published:
They managed to enter the Avianca building and detained some 200 people who were working, causing the mobilization of police agents.
VIDEOS: Tense day of clashes between Colombian indigenous people and Esmad in Bogotá
Groups of Colombian indigenous people and the Mobile Riot Squad (Esmad) clashed this Wednesday in the center of Bogotá, in the midst of an attempt to settle inside the Avianca building, a construction that previously housed a victim unit dedicated to the care of people affected by the armed conflict.
Members of the Indigenous Authorities in Bakatá (AIB) demonstrated this day in protest at the lack of compliance by the authorities after what was agreed last May, when more than 1.400 people, coming from 15 indigenous peoples, left the Enrique Olaya Herrera National Park in Bogotá, and were relocated to temporary shelters.
In the midst of the armed conflict in Colombia, thousands of indigenous people have fled their territories due to the situation of violence in their communities.
A total of 34 people were injured, 11 of them uniformed.
Violent acts
During the mobilization, dozens of indigenous people managed to enter the Avianca building and allegedly detained some 200 people who were working, according to Semana.
In the middle of the building’s seizure, the Esmad mobilized to the site and various acts of violence were recorded against soldiers, civilians and against two managers of the Bogotá Mayor’s Office.
Given the inability of the Mayor of Bogotá to comply with the Embera indigenous people, they protest in the Avianca building, fight between managers of coexistence and indigenous people, solution of the District = ESMAD. And from then on aggressions from part and part that must stop. pic.twitter.com/wP3Xqk1Ym8
— JUANCA🇨🇴 (@JUANCAELBROKY) October 19,
These already know that later they “pardon” them with the story of the protest. Here they see them judiciously beating the police… pure anarchy and vandalism…. Occurs in Bogotá, Avianca building taken over by indigenous people. ESMAD had to intervene. pic.twitter.com/LQEqcvGTdf
— Vicky Dávila (@VickyDavilaH) October 19 ,
A video was circulated on social networks showing the moment in which three people hit an officer who was lying face down on the sidewalk.
WARNING: THE FOLLOWING IMAGES MAY HURT YOUR SENSITIVITY
“ This is not a social protest ,” wrote the mayor of Bogotá, Claudia López, on her Twitter account, in reaction to the video of the assaulted police officer.
“It is unacceptable violence, which should not go unpunished. Impunity for abuse and violence only encourages its reproduction. Just as I have denounced and prosecuted abuses by members of the public force, I’ll do the same with this,” he added.
Another police officer was escorted by citizens, who protected her from two people who tried to hit her with sticks.
According to another video uploaded to social networks, an indigenous man was left unconscious after the violent action of the authorities, who would have used an electroshock weapon to repress. This happened at the height of the Seventh race with the street 16.
URGENT The Embera indigenous people are attacked by ESMAD in Parque Santander, Bogotá. Human rights, brigade members and alternative press are required. An unconscious indigenous person is reported – health to be established – due to the use of a Taser ⚡ by the public force and several injured people. pic.twitter.com/Gnw8SEaqej
– Loo Cárdenas (@CarLuuTe) October 19 ,
Petro condemns the violence
After the day ended, the president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, He condemned the violent acts.
“The absence of dialogue always generates more violence. I reject and condemn the acts experienced today in Bogotá. Several members of the public force and civilians were injured. The aggression against a policeman,” Petro said on Twitter.
The absence of dialogue always generates more violence. I reject and condemn the acts experienced today in Bogotá. Several members of the Public Force and civilians were injured. Aggression against a police officer will never be a protest.
