COUSIN OF CALI MAYOR KILLED IN PROTESTS VS COLOMBIAN PRESIDENT

Colombia's Mobile Anti-Riot Squad (ESMAD) violently attacked citizens protesting in Cali against President Ivan Duque's tax reform on Sunday night [Monday, May 3, 2021, in Manila], killing Nicolas Guerrero, a cousin of the mayor of Cali, teleSUR reported.

The 22-year-old man died with a gunshot wound on his head. Besides being witnessed by citizens, his murder was recorded in a video that showed the ESMAD members attacking people who were protesting peacefully.

So far, 21 protesters have been killed and 503 arrested for demanding an end to punishing tax reforms and other draconian economic measures imposed by President Ivan Duque.

"In the video, which was seen by at least 130,000 people, it can be seen how Nicolas Guerrero was shot in his head by ESMAD," local outlet Alerta Tolima reported.

"Minutes before the attack, young people, women, children, and seniors gathered... to pray for the tense situation in Cali and for the people killed amid the national strike. However, the riots began when the ESMAD attacked the people with tear gas," it added.

Colombia Humana activist Juan David Garcia was also murdered in the municipality of San Luis, in the department of Antioquia, on Sunday afternoon.

Two unidentified gunmen shot the communication student, who had actively participated in the organization of the national strike marches.

The crime occurred while Garcia was participating in a community activity aimed at raising funds to help COVID-19 patients.

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