Colombia: Unionized teachers launch 48-hour strike, protests in Bogota March 28-29

Event

Unionized teachers and other education workers of Bogota, affiliated with the District Association of Education Workers (Asociacion Distrital de Trabajadores y Trabajadoras de la Educacion, ADE), have launched a 48-hour strike with associated protests in Bogota March 28-29, to demand increased funding and benefits for public education.

Activists plan to hold two main protests during the strike. On March 28, they gathered outside the Planetario Distrita and prepare to march to the City Hall in front of Plaza de Bolivar. For March 29, they intend to gather outside the Super CADE, a city government building, along Carrera 30, starting at 09:00, and march to Bogota's Education Secretariat, along Avenida El Dorados.

Thousands may participate in the demonstrations, likely affecting transport along its routes. Heightened security near government buildings is also likely. Due to the strike, nearly 400 public schools have suspended classes, which may lead to higher-than-usual absenteeism from parents of school-aged children.

Advice

Avoid all protests as a precaution. Allow additional time to reach your destination if operating in Bogota March 28-29.