Thousands March in Colombia Supporting Petro's Reforms Amidst Peaceful National Strike

Colombian National Strike Supports Petro's Reforms Bogotá, Colombia – Thousands of Colombians participated in a two-day national strike on May 28th and 29th, 2025, to demonstrate support for President Gustavo Petro's proposed popular consultation on labor and health reforms. The protests, largely peaceful according to the government, took place across major cities. Footage from Bogotá shows a diverse group of protestors, including union members, students, and indigenous people. "This is a national two-day strike," stated CNN correspondent Fernando Ramos, reporting live from the demonstration in Bogotá. "It was initially suggested by President Gustavo Petro and endorsed by labor unions, student groups, and indigenous communities." The government has pledged to ensure the safety of protestors and has requested that the armed forces refrain from any repressive actions. However, not all Colombians support the reforms. Opposition groups have voiced concerns, arguing that the labor reform is already virtually approved by Congress. The popular consultation is scheduled for late September or early October. The peaceful nature of the demonstrations in Bogotá suggests a broad base of support for President Petro's initiative, despite existing opposition.