6:36 pm UTC May. 13, 2021
BOGOTA, Colombia Forty-two people have died during anti-government protests in Colombia that began April 28 amid discontent fueled by growing poverty and inequality during the pandemic, the country s human rights ombudsman said Tuesday.
The government agency added that 168 people had been reported missing during the protests.
Colombian police have been widely accused of using excessive force to break up demonstrations and riots that started April 28 after the government attempted to increase taxes in what it said was an effort to reduce its deficit and raise funds for health care and social services.
April 28: Protesters clash with riot police officers during the national strike against the tax reform proposed by President of Colombia Duque s administration in Bogota, Colombia.Guillermo Legaria, Getty Images
The United Nations human rights office said it was "deeply alarmed" over violence against protesters in the Colombian city of Cali, where "police opened fire on demonstrators" and allegedly killed and injured several people Monday night.