Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Colombian Government, Unions Renew Talks But No Agreement Reached

Reuters

   BOGOTA - Union leaders and Colombian government representatives met on
   Thursday for the second time this week but failed to reach an agreement
   to end protests against President Ivan Duque's economic and social
   policies.

   The meeting took place just one day after a national strike organized
   by unions, students and advocacy groups drew thousands of protesters.

   "We remain deeply at odds with the government over the make up of the
   discussions," Diogenes Orjuela, the head of the Central Union of
   Workers (CUT), told journalists after the meeting.

   "Furthermore, the government has taken a step back by labeling the
   discussions as exploratory. We continue to hold that this is a table
   for negotiations between the government and the national strike
   committee, to discuss the 13 demands that have been raised," he said.

   Protest leaders' demands include that the government take more action
   to halt the killings of human rights activists, better implement a
   peace deal with leftist rebels and dissolve the ESMAD riot police, whom
   they accuse of excessive force during the protests.

.