Tens of thousands of Colombians flooded the streets of several cities to voice their opposition to President Gustavo Petro’s proposed social reform agenda, marking one of the largest demonstrations against his government since he took office in 2022. The protests, which saw around 70,000 participants in Bogota alone according to city government estimates, underscored growing discontent with Petro’s policies, particularly in the realms of healthcare, retirement, employment, and prison sectors.

Petro’s administration has been met with consistent opposition since his inauguration, but recent protests have intensified amid discussions of rewriting the constitution to enact reforms stymied by a resistant congress and conservative business interests. The rejection of a health reform proposal by a Senate committee heightened tensions, as it aimed to diminish the influence of insurers and enhance healthcare access, a move criticized by the opposition. Additionally, the government’s decision to assume control of two major insurers accused of negligence further fueled discontent among demonstrators.

Despite previous marches in support of Petro’s reforms, protesters denounced his government’s policies as “dire,” expressing concerns about the destabilization of the healthcare system and the plight of patients lacking access to essential services and medication. Monica Leon, a 45-year-old doctor, lamented the impact of Petro’s reforms on vulnerable patients, describing the situation as a crisis.

President Petro, responding to the protests, acknowledged the significant turnout but characterized the demonstrations as “weak” in several cities. He attributed the protests to a concerted effort to topple his government, labeling them a “soft coup” aimed at thwarting his reform agenda. In a bid to counter the opposition’s momentum, Petro called for a massive pro-government march on May 1st.

Petro’s tenure as Colombia’s first leftist president has faced challenges, with dwindling legislative support and plummeting approval ratings. A staggering 70% of Colombians perceive the country’s situation as worsening, according to polling data. Despite his ambitious vision of achieving “total peace” and ending decades of armed conflict, Petro’s approach has encountered setbacks, including controversial concessions to armed groups and reports of frequent violations.

As protests continue to roil the country, Petro’s government faces mounting pressure to address grievances and restore confidence among citizens. The outcome of ongoing debates over healthcare, pension, and labor reforms will be closely watched as Colombia navigates a period of heightened political unrest and social upheaval.