National strike in 2021: the security forces would have been involved in 44 homicides, according to Indepaz

There are only a few days before the anniversary of the popular social outbreak in Colombia, an unprecedented event that marked the history of the country's new generations, since in recent years there had not been a series of days as belligerent as these, events that affected the normal development of civil society that was tied to a high context. The results were fateful, in this regard, Indepaz released the most important figures of the unemployment, which reveal homicides, injuries and abuses by the security forces.

The Institute for Development and Peace Studies (Indepaz) took stock of the main figures, which were recorded between April 28 and July 15, 2021. According to Indepaz, 83 homicides were carried out in the context of the national strike, however, the data of great concern is that in at least 44 of them, the authorship was allegedly by the public forces. In addition, it was recorded that 35 people were victims of sexual violence by the same authorities, according to Tremores NGO.

With regard to the killings, it is known that at least two women and three members of the security forces were killed. Of the total number of deaths in which the State was allegedly involved, three were minors, 22 people between the ages of 18 and 24, 14 between the ages of 26 and 50, three between the ages of 60 and 90, while two people were unable to be identified by the care bodies. In turn, it was concluded that May was the month in which most murders were recorded.

The data showed that 32 of the 44 victims mentioned died as a result of firearm impacts, seven had signs of being hit with devices, two died from inhalation of tear gas, one citizen died as a result of various blows and, finally, one person was hit by a tank, a situation that led to his death. The city that registered the most deaths in relation to the alleged participation of the authorities was Cali, since 25 died, while Yumbo recorded three deaths, while Bogotá highlighted the figure of four people.

The complaints continued and added more records against the authorities, as they were involved in the affliction of 56 people by inhaling gases in the midst of the protests. It should be noted that different dealers claimed that the tear gas used on many occasions was expired, a fact that is completely hazardous to health. 1661 Protestants were victims of arbitrary violence provoked by the security forces and in addition, there were at least 2053 arrests at the marches and different mobilizations, according to the report.

One of the most worrying events during the marches is eye injuries caused by the launch of objects, stun bombs, gases and other shells for private use. The national strike left 96 people with injuries in that area of the face, 89 were men and seven women, as well as high concern is demonstrated, since five minors were also affected.

According to the Ministry of Defense, 860 municipalities participated in the social outbreak in 32 departments, including the capital of the Republic. The main activities carried out were: 10 cacerolazo days in which around 10 million people demonstrated (in each of them), 14,175 activities in total segmented as follows; 3,415 blockades on the country's roads, 2475 marches, 678 mobilizations by the population and at least 40 assemblies.

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