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Colombia Reels From Violent Protests

Megan Janetsky

   MEDELLIN, COLOMBIA - Protests against police violence in Colombia have
   left at least 13 dead and hundreds wounded after police and protesters
   clashed in major cities across the country.

   The demonstrations were triggered after a video surfaced showing two
   officers in the capital, Bogotá, pinning down and repeatedly tasing
   46-year-old lawyer Javier Ordóñez. Police say Ordóñez was drinking
   on the street with friends and not following social distancing rules.

   In the video, Ordóñez is heard begging, "Please, no more" to the
   officers. He died later in a hospital after suffering nine skull
   fractures.

   As protesters took to the streets in Bogotá, smashing and setting fire
   to police vehicles and stations across the city, security forces
   responded.

   Videos show groups of officers attacking civilians, and showering them
   with rubber bullets and tear gas, while others show security forces
   tear gassing and responding violently to peaceful protests

   Most of the dead were young protesters who suffered gunshots wounds.
   Bogota's mayor denounced what he described as the "indiscriminate" use
   of firearms by police.

   That violence set off more demonstrations, which expanded across the
   country.

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