
A rioter throws an object at police officers outside Colombia’s parliament building
Bogota, Colombia • May 5, 2021
Dozens broke through the perimeter fences during a massive rally at Bolivar Square in Bogota on Wednesday and stormed the building that houses both chambers of Colombia's parliament, while lawmakers were in session. Police fired volleys of teargas and deployed water cannons to disperse the angry crowd as armored police vehicles rushed through the streets of Bogota.
MP Juanita Goebertus tweeted that the session was suspended and lawmakers were evacuated when the crowd attacked the building. The session was later resumed.
The protests, which were sparked by controversial tax reform and have been raging across the South American country since April 28, saw fierce clashes with police, arson and looting.














Comment: Glimpses of what transpired in Bogota as the people respond to proposals to raise taxes and eliminate exemptions during a time of severe economic crisis: