MEXICO CITY (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 04th May, 2021) Nationwide protests against a tax reform in Colombia have left 17 people killed, including a police officer, and several hundred injured, La FM radio station reported on Monday, citing the ombudsman's office.
The ombudsman put the number of those injured at 711.
Defense Minister Diego Molano Aponte, meanwhile, updated the figure to over 840.
"During manifestations, 540 national police officers and 306 civilians were injured," the minister said during a speech broadcast on the national police's Facebook page, also expressing condolences over the death of an officer during the unrest.
According to the Defense Ministry, a total of 431 people were detained during the demonstrations, which have been ongoing across Colombia since last Wednesday, with people protesting against the so-called Sustainable Solidarity Law, a tax reform bill presented in April. Trade unions warned that the proposed reform would lead to at least 1.5 million workers having to pay new taxes.
The initiative was expected to help raise around $6.8 billion (about 2% of Colombia's GDP), which, according to the government, would significantly contribute to efforts aimed at alleviating the negative economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
The riots continue despite that Colombian President Ivan Duque ordered the country's Finance Ministry to revise the draft tax reform.
The defense chief recalled that since Sunday, the army has been providing temporary support to some cities affected by the unrest to ensure the safety of citizens, supply of essential goods, and protection of transport and infrastructure.
Since the protests began, minister noted, the government has received around 600 reports of vandalism and other crimes from citizens, with 94 banks and 254 stores, two municipal administrations, and 64 police stations trashed.
