Society

Mayor of Bogotá calls for reconciliation after protests left 14 dead

The city saw some of the worst violence in its history, sparked by the police killing of a man accused of flouting Covid-19 restrictions

People protest against what they say is police brutality in Bogota, Colombia, September 13, 2020. REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez
  • Protests in Bogota and satellite city Soacha began following the death on Wednesday of Javier Ordonez, 46;
  • During protests on Wednesday, seven young people, including teenagers, died after being shot in Bogota.

Colombians held peaceful vigils as the mayor of Bogotá, Claudia López, begged for forgiveness and asked for reconciliation after protests in Colombia’s capital the past week left 14 civilians dead and hundreds injured.

The city saw some of the worst violence in its history, sparked by the police killing of a man accused of flouting Covid-19 restrictions.

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Protests in Bogota and satellite city Soacha began following the death on Wednesday of Javier Ordonez, 46. A widely shared video showed the father of two being repeatedly shocked with a stun gun by police. He died later in a hospital, reported The Financial Times.

During protests on Wednesday, seven young people, including teenagers, died after being shot in Bogota. Three other people died in connection with the protests on Thursday night, including a woman who was hit by a stolen public bus.

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Three people were also killed in Soacha during the protests.

“We are here today to ask forgiveness of all victims of police brutality,” Lopez said during a televised event to commemorate those who died in the protests.

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