Colombia Protests: Shortages Emerge in Cali as Demonstrations Enter Third Week

Colombia protests that stemmed from a tax reform proposal have now entered their third week, resulting in fuel and food shortages in the city of Cali.

Known as the third-largest city of Colombia, Cali became the center of unrest as the anti-government demonstrations continue.

It can be recalled that Cali faced a surge in violence between police officers, protesters, and armed civilians in the past days. And now, three weeks into the mass protests, BBC reported that Cali faces shortages in some supplies of food and even gasoline.

Shortages Emerge in Cali

The shortages in some items in Cali stemmed from the blockades placed on the city's major highways. BBC reported that young, masked protesters blocked the roads with branches and wires as they protest for "a different country."

Because of this, the supply of gasoline and food is disturbed. Residents were reported to queue or line up for 12 hours for fuel.

In an interview with BBC, a trader shared about the shortage of potatoes. Others said they had received delivery, but the price is 30 percent higher than the usual rate.

"Some supplies or limited supplies are not enough," said Cali City Mayor Jorge Iván Ospina. The mayor added that the city depended on food from the neighboring towns to feed its residents.

Why Do Mass Protests in Colombia Still Continue?

Other cities in the country also experienced the road blockades that Cali experienced as the demonstration entered its third week, Al Jazeera reported.

Gimena Sanchez, the director for the Andes at the Washington Office on Latin America, noted that the protests in Colombia go beyond the anger at equality and COVID-19.

The tax reform only sparked demonstrations in the country. But protest leaders claimed that they also call for a basic income scheme, free tuition at public universities, and police reform.

Meanwhile, researchers underscored in NBC News that "inequality and undelivered promises on social issues," were also an explosive mix during moments of crisis.

Researchers further noted that the tax reform only spurred the social unrest that has been fueled by violence, noncompliance with peace agreements, unemployment, and hunger caused by the mismanagement in the pandemic.

"The Colombia protests are not just about COVID, they are about anger towards (President Ivan) Duque for police repression from 2019 onwards, not advancing to the 2016 peace accord," Sanchez told Al Jazeera.

Death Toll From Colombia Protests

Human rights organization have kept their tally on the death of the protesters while calling out to the government to stop the use of excessive force.

NBC News reported that the human rights ombudsman in Colombia had confirmed at least 42 deaths.

On the other hand, local and international rights groups noted that the death toll from Colombia protests might be higher as they blamed the police for the violence.

WATCH: Vigilantes and Anti-Government Protesters Clash in Colombia - From Bloomberg Markets and Finance