Colombia uses military brunt to disperse rural demonstrators

The Colombian government deployed tanks and troops on farmers that were striking in attempts to choke food supplies ahead of presidential elections due to take place at the end of May.

Farmers took to the street for the second time this year due to President Juan Manuel Santos’ failure to fulfil promises of rural reform, reports The Guardian.

Anticipating severe disruption, the government sent in tanks and troops to placate what was mostly a peaceful demonstration. 

A key leader of the rural workers ‘Campesino’ movement, said,
“My hope is not that they block the road, but they refuse to ship out the food. If we take the streets we run the risk of turning Campesinos into anon fodder. If we withhold the food deliveries, the urban areas will feel the impact.”

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