ASSESSMENTS

In Colombia, a Summer of Unrest Looms

Jul 16, 2013 | 10:01 GMT

In Colombia, a Summer of Unrest Looms
Protesters rally outside Medellin, Colombia, on Feb. 25

(RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP/Getty Images)

Summary

Colombia will likely have a politically turbulent summer caused by unease among those who believe they are being left behind economically. Laborers in the northeast are protesting, coal miners are poised to strike in the coming days and agricultural producers are threatening to add themselves to the fray in August. Colombia has seen rapid economic growth over the past decade and even the current administration of President Juan Manual Santos can boast of a boom in the extractive industries, a free trade agreement with the United States and negotiations with the country's largest rebel group to end the decadeslong conflict. However, this has not been enough to stem public dissatisfaction, suggesting that the government will have to do more to address economic grievances.

Many in the country feel they have not benefited from the boom in mineral extraction or the free trade deal with the United States....

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