• According to reports, multiple labor unions including Federacion Colombiana de Trabajadores de la Educacion (FECODE) and Central Unitaria de Trabajadores (CUT), have organized multiple protests nationwide on January 30. In Bogota, the protest is slated at Plaza Simon de Bolivar from 17:00 (local time) onwards.
• The protests have been organized to denounce the recent intensification of violence in the Catatumbo region of Norte de Santander following the revival of a longstanding conflict between the Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional (ELN) and Estado Mayor Central – Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (EMC-FARC) dissidents in January 2025.

1. The slated protest highlights the intensifying anti-government sentiments, with the public criticizing the government’s response to the escalating crisis in the Catatumbo region, with 80 deaths recorded so far and over 11,000 residents displaced. While President Gustavo Petro declared a state of emergency and “internal commotion,” suspended peace talks with the ELN, and even mobilized humanitarian aid, protesters allege that the government’s failure to assert control over Catatumbo has enabled armed groups to expand, worsening violence and instability. This has deepened skepticism toward Petro’s peace strategies to ensure security and economic stability.
2. FORECAST: Given the relevance of the protest issue and the mobilizational capabilities of the unions involved, the slated protest is likely to garner turnouts in the mid-to-high hundreds. Turnouts could be further bolstered by displaced individuals from Catatumbo currently residing in camps in Bogota. While protests in other regions, such as Cucuta on January 28 recorded some unrest, with security forces having to deploy tear gas to disperse crowds, protests over the issue in Bogota, as recorded on January 26, have been peaceful. Based on this precedent, the slated protest is also expected to transpire peacefully without major instances of unrest. That said, given the centrality of the protest location, security is expected to be bolstered in the vicinity of Plaza de Bolivar to monitor proceedings. Additionally, localized disruptions to vehicular and pedestrian traffic can be anticipated near the slated protest location.

Those operating or residing in Bogota on January 30 are advised to allot for disruptions in the vicinity of the Plaza de Bolivar from the evening hours onwards due to the slated protest.