Protests in Colombia today: minute by minute of the crisis | CNN

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1 hour ago

Duque calls for "the largest deployment" of public force in Cali

(LUIS CARLOS AYALA / AFP via Getty Images)

Colombian President Iván Duque arrived in Cali at 11:30 pm local time on Sunday to review the instructions given to the Interior and Defense ministers.

The Security Council ended at 3:30 am on Monday.

Half an hour later, the president began his return to Bogotá, reported the Presidency.

"I have given very clear instructions to the team to protect the city of Cali, to protect the department of Valle," said the president.

"The training has been the maximum support and collaboration of all the forces so that, with maximum deployment, they guarantee citizens their protection and avoid situations that could put citizens at risk," he added.

1 hour ago

Colombian government blocks roads to Cali

By CNN's Mia Alberti

The Colombian government imposed barricades throughout the western department of Valle del Cauca until May 15.

The region's capital, Cali, is the third most populous city in Colombia and has been the scene of violent protests against a tax reform project since April 28.

“We have imposed the closure of all accesses to Valle del Cauca.

As required by the health situation, due to the accelerated spread of covid-19, the hospital red alert and the lack of control with public order, ”Clara Luz Roldán González, governor, tweeted on Sunday night.

We have decreed the closure of the entrances to Valle del Cauca.

This is what the health situation requires of us, due to the acceleration of the contagion of # COVID19, the hospital red alert, and the overwhelmed situation of public order.

pic.twitter.com/8kSLLfQTO5

- Clara Luz Roldán González (@ClaraLuzRoldan) May 10, 2021

In the decree, the government indicated that temporary road closures are necessary "because public order has been disturbed" and to guarantee "peaceful and respectful interaction between people and property and the security of the Valle de Cauca region."

The document also explains that trucks carrying fuel and medical supplies will still be allowed through.

1 hour ago

President of Colombia calls for calm in Cali

(LUIS CARLOS AYALA / AFP via Getty Images)

The president of Colombia, Iván Duque, called for calm in the city of Cali, which has been the site of riots since the end of April and which this Sunday experienced a confusing and violent day.

According to an indigenous organization, several injured people were reported.

“Today is the moment when we must all come to a halt in this situation.

The authorities are deployed, the ministers are in the territory and I have asked them to accompany them with the local authority.

The Cali community has suffered a lot, the blockades have affected them, society at this time has also felt threatened, "Duque said this Sunday during a message to the nation.

Later, in his verified Twitter account, Duque said that he went to Cali, where he supervised "the measures we take to restore peace of mind to citizens, public order, and verify progress in social dialogue."

Read more here.