Amid protests, Colombian cities brace for more COVID infections

The capital, Bogota, is confronting a ‘hospital collapse’ and infections will not drop until end of May, the mayor said.

Colombia’s three largest cities are bracing for an extended third peak in coronavirus cases and over-stretched intensive care units after nearly two weeks of anti-government protests, local authorities said. Demonstrations fuelled by outrage at a now-cancelled tax plan began on April 28. Protesters’ demands have expanded to include a basic income, an end to police violence and the withdrawal of long-debated health reform. Marches look set to continue for the foreseeable future, with protest leaders and the government at odds despite an initial meeting to discuss the demands.