Colombia: Taxi drivers to hold strike, protests in multiple cities, July 23

Unionized taxi drivers plan to hold a nationwide strike in Colombia on July 23 to demand authorities improve security measures and provide additional regulations. They allege officials are not enforcing laws to ban illegal vehicles and motorcycles operating as taxis.

Together with the strike, activists intend to hold protests in major cities. In Bogota, taxi drivers have said they will hold protests from different locations starting at 05:00, including at the intersection of Calle 170 with Autopista Norte, and 27 Sur with Carrera 10; other protests will be held in Suba, Engativa, Fontibon, Techo, el Tunal, and along Autopista Sur.

Protests in other cities, such as Barranquilla, Medellin, or Santa Marta, are likely to be held along major roads and highways and near government buildings and central squares. The strike and protests are likely to cause significant transport disruptions in major cities, including overcrowding in buses and metro systems. Heightened security and clashes between protesters and police are possible.