Colombia unrest offers no quick solutions

Significance

Large demonstrations on May 28 resulted in several deaths in Cali; President Ivan Duque deployed troops there the next day. Although that appears, temporarily, to have restored some order, talks between the government and protest leaders have stalled.

Impacts

• The government still plans fiscal reform of some kind, but any proposals now risk inflaming unrest.
• Prolonged accusations of human rights abuses and impunity could damage Colombia’s international reputation.
• Fear of socialism and Venezuela’s struggles offer the government a powerful electoral weapon against the left.