Colombia boosts military in Bogota after violent protests

Colombia's president Juan Manuel Santos today ordered the military to make a strong and visible presence in Bogota after violent protests caused havoc across the capital, killing two.

“It’s unacceptable, unacceptable that the actions of a few impact the lives of the majority,” Mr Santos said in an early morning address after an overnight cabinet meeting at the presidential palace.

Mr Santos took the measure following almost two weeks of roadblocks and clashes with police that spread to cities on Thursday. Police fired tear gas in downtown Bogota and a curfew was imposed in three densely populated areas of the capital overnight to control outbreaks of violence.

The demonstrations began as a strike by farmers angry about difficulties in the agriculture sector, and spread to other sectors.

Reuters