Colombia

Today's program begins with a brief newscast, followed by a report on the situation in Colombia, where daily protests have continued after Thursday's massive general strike. Colombians are protesting against the government of President Iván Duque and demand a wide range of changes in social policy. After half a century of a devastating civil war, the 2016 peace accords between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia or FARC brought hope for a safer and more equitable society. The current government is slow, if not reluctant, to implement key elements of the peace agreement, resulting in continued violence in the countryside. With that backdrop, and concerns over corruption, inequality, and privatizations, Colombians have taken to the streets.