A Colombian policeman has been accused of killing a 17-year-old with a bullet to the head during protests against the government in Cali, the prosecution said Thursday.
According to the prosecution, Constable Luis Piedrahita was kicked by the teenager and responded with a shot. The case, which took place on April 28, will be tried by a judge. For prosecutors, there is no way to tell that the agent acted in self-defense. If found guilty, he faces up to 25 years in prison.
Cali has become the epicenter of a wave of protests in Colombia, which lasted two weeks and left at least 42 dead and more than 1,500 injured, according to official figures.
Initially, the acts were against the tax reform proposed by President Iván Duque. Although he withdrew the bill, the violent crackdown on protests continued to fuel discontent. Since then, acts have multiplied, without a defined agenda or direction, but with demands that demand a more just country and a more united State guaranteeing life and security.
Protesters approached the Romelio Martinez stadium, in Barranquilla, this Thursday evening (13th), during a Copa Libertadores match between America de Cali and Atlético-MG. The match was interrupted a few times as tear gas fired by police to disperse protesters reached the pitch and affected players.
The severe repression of the demonstrations ended up stoking the revolt of the demonstrators and drew international criticism. The UN, the United States, the European Union and human rights NGOs have denounced the serious abuses committed by the police during the demonstrations.
Colombia, with 50 million inhabitants, is also facing an upsurge in violence financed by drug trafficking, which nullifies the illusion of peace after the signing of the agreement with the FARC guerrillas in 2016.