Bogotá Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán has asked President Gustavo Petro to speak with the protesters who will take to the streets on the afternoon of Friday, October 24, and ask them to do so peacefully and not cause disturbances to public order. Galán did so because improvised demonstrations in the capital have become repetitive in recent weeks, where protesters have caused chaos, damaged the facades of commercial establishments and residences, and blocked roads. The headquarters of the National University, on 26th Avenue, has become a vehicular mess in recent weeks, where the police have had to intervene.

“President Gustavo Petro, I ask that you, as the convener of today’s demonstrations, call on all those who will take to the streets and the Plaza de Bolívar to demonstrate to do so peacefully and to avoid, at all costs, acts of violence and destruction,” said the district leader. The riots have been caused by indigenous people, social movements, and students. Carlos Fernando Galán has always rejected vandalism. | Photo: Semana/Social Media/Montage: Semana

In a video posted on social media, Galán recalled that the demonstration will take place this Friday afternoon and made it clear that it was called by President Gustavo Petro.

“Demonstrations are a right in a democracy, and we are all obligated to ensure that they can take place without violence, destruction, blockades, or vandalism, as has unfortunately occurred in recent weeks,” he stated.

He said that, with good reason, “ there are many residents of Bogotá who are tired of the protests that end in this type of violent acts and caused by some participants in these demonstrations that end up affecting millions of people.”

He added that today, “as always, we are going to guarantee the rights of those who decide to demonstrate and also of those who decide not to.”

He made it clear that the Bogotá Mayor's Office, within its powers, will order law enforcement to act or intervene to restore order in the city when dialogue is exhausted and acts of violence or vandalism occur.

"I also ask President Petro, as Commander of the Armed Forces, to support the work of the public forces and ensure that they can fulfill their role of maintaining public order in Bogotá and throughout the country," he concluded.

The mayor is clear that dozens of protesters are peacefully marching through the city streets, but other vandal groups are taking advantage of the situation to fish in troubled waters and create chaos. The president's goal is to gather his activists in Plaza de Bolívar around 4:00 p.m. this Friday. There, he promises to deliver a speech against the administration of President Donald Trump, with whom they have had violent clashes in recent weeks.