Colombian President Abelardo De la Espriella said 98% of Wednesday’s opposition protests, held on October 14, were peaceful. The demonstrations drew around 62,000 people across 10 cities nationwide, according to the government’s official tally.
The protests, called by labor unions, social organizations, and left-wing political groups, marked the opposition’s first major show of strength since the president took office just over two months ago.
Although most marches unfolded without major incidents, the day ended with episodes of vandalism and clashes with police in Bogotá. Demonstrators voiced opposition to several decisions by the new government, including changes to the rules governing police conduct during protests, its economic and social policies, and the administration’s conservative shift.
Former President Gustavo Petro joined the demonstrations, which were also marked by heavy rain in the capital.
De la Espriella says Colombia’s opposition protest was ‘98% peaceful’
In a message posted on social media, the president said the demonstrations were “98% peaceful” and maintained that his government has no objection to protests that comply with the law.
According to figures released by the president, the Dialogue and Order Maintenance Unit (UNDMO), a police unit that monitors public demonstrations, had to intervene at six locations across the country: two in Bogota, two in Ibague, one in Popayan, and one in Medellin.
The official tally also recorded six arrests for alleged acts of vandalism: three in Monteria, one in Pasto, and two in Ibague. De la Espriella described the outcome as positive but warned that he would not tolerate what he called “urban terrorism.” He also defended the security forces’ preparedness to respond to violent incidents.
The figure of 62,000 protesters was provided by the president himself and does not, on its own, constitute an independent measure of nationwide turnout. The president also downplayed the political significance of the mobilization, arguing that it represented only a small share of Colombia’s population, while acknowledging the right of participants to express their opposition.
“At the close of the day, the nationwide tally stands at 62,000 people who took to the streets. That figure represents a very small proportion of Colombia’s population, but their rights and guarantees deserve the state’s full respect,” De la Espriella said in a video posted Wednesday night.
The president also said that “from the first day of my administration, I have issued a directive that leaves no room for interpretation: peaceful protest is respected, protected, and guaranteed. But violence, vandalism, and any attempt to violate the rights of others will have no place under my administration.”
Finally, he asserted that “the state is present, authority is in place, and there is a government that respects freedoms, enforces the law, and protects the millions of Colombians who get up early every day to work and build our nation.”
Colombianos:
Me dirijo a ustedes esta noche para entregarles un balance claro, objetivo y contundente de la jornada de manifestaciones que vivió hoy nuestro país.
¡Que quede absolutamente claro! El 98% de las movilizaciones transcurrió de manera pacífica.
La inmensa mayoría de quienes salieron a las calles ejerció su legítimo derecho a la protesta de forma ordenada y respetuosa de las instituciones. Eso es democracia, y como Presidente de la República, siempre la defenderé y garantizaré.
Al cierre de esta jornada, el consolidado nacional registra un total de 62.000 ciudadanos movilizados. Una cifra que representa una proporción muy pequeña de la población colombiana, pero cuyos derechos y garantías merecen todo el respeto del Estado.
Desde el primer día de mi Gobierno he impartido una directriz que no admite interpretaciones: la protesta pacífica se respeta, se protege y se garantiza. Pero la violencia, el vandalismo y cualquier intento de vulnerar los derechos de los demás no tendrán cabida bajo mi mandato.
Porque tan legítimo es el derecho a manifestarse como el derecho de millones de colombianos a trabajar, movilizarse libremente y vivir en tranquilidad.
Aquí hay Estado, aquí hay autoridad y aquí hay un Gobierno que respeta las libertades, hace cumplir la ley y protege a los millones de colombianos que madrugan todos los días a trabajar y construir Patria.
¡Firme por la Patria!
¡Viva Cristo Rey!
(A.D.L.E.)
— Abelardo De La Espriella (@ABDELAESPRIELLA) October 15, 2026
Police decree at the center of criticism
The demonstrations brought together teachers, students, workers, retirees, Indigenous communities, and social organizations. Their demands covered labor, education, economic, and territorial issues, as well as opposition to the first decisions made by the De la Espriella administration.
One of the main sources of concern was Decree 1525, signed on Tuesday, which changes the rules governing police conduct during protests. The government maintains that the changes also seek to protect rights such as freedom of movement, work, health care, and access to public services. It justifies police intervention when assaults, property damage, or blockades affect third parties.
Critics, however, fear the new regulations will give police greater leeway to use force and weaken safeguards for the right to peaceful protest. The fact that the new provisions took effect on the same day as the nationwide demonstrations turned the marches into an early political test for the government and its security strategy.
Petro returns to the streets as Bogota sees most of the clashes
Former President Gustavo Petro joined demonstrations in Bogota, signaling that he intends to maintain his role as a leading opposition figure after leaving office. His participation helped raise the political profile of a rally aimed at bringing together diverse groups opposed to the new president’s policies. Senator Ivan Cepeda also took part in the protests.
In the capital, demonstrations continued for much of the day without major public order disturbances, despite disruptions to traffic and public transportation. Heavy rain fell across Bogota at various points throughout the day, making conditions more difficult for those in the streets but failing to stop the demonstrations.
Así se responde a la adversidad con dignidad con ganas de ganar otra vez, sin miedo. Es la vida la compañera y no la muerte.
El pueblo no se rinde Carajo. https://t.co/gKBTyY8lnn
— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) October 14, 2026
The most tense incidents occurred later. Several TransMilenio stations (Bogota’s mass transit system) and vehicles belonging to the capital’s bus rapid transit system were damaged or vandalized. The incidents affected, among other locations, the Bicentenario, Perdomo, and San Diego stations (in the central and southern parts of the capital), as well as two trunk-line buses and stops serving the zonal bus network.
That evening, police intervened at Journalists’ Park in downtown Bogota, where a group of demonstrators had gathered. The operation by the UNDMO, Colombia’s Mobile Anti-Riot Unit, led to clashes and forced the temporary closure of several TransMilenio stations in the downtown area and along the Eje Ambiental, causing further disruptions to mobility.
The demonstrations marked the opposition’s first show of strength in the streets. After four years in power, the opposition is seeking to establish its own identity as an alternative to the current government and position itself ahead of the regional elections scheduled for October 2027.
Si Abelardo es inteligente ya sabe que pasará si no reacciona. https://t.co/NZNoAXPo1C
— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) October 14, 2026