Colombians take to the streets in favour of healthcare reforms

Proposed reforms intention to broaden healthcare entry as a part of President Gustavo Petro’s agenda on poverty and inequality.

Supporters of Colombian President Gustavo Petro rally in Bogota on February 14, holding posters that learn in Spanish, 'Sure to well being reform' [Fernando Vergara/AP Photo]

Hundreds of individuals within the South American nation of Colombia have taken to the streets to rally in favour of proposed financial and social reforms put ahead by President Gustavo Petro.

The left-wing president offered his healthcare plan earlier than Colombia’s Congress on Monday, introducing initiatives that embrace higher entry, elevated pay for well being employees, and subsidies for the poor and aged. The proposal is anticipated to face opposition from conservative legislators who've argued that the reforms are too dangerous.

“What President Petro is doing appears good to me. We want a change for the poor to have entry to well being, training, respectable housing,” Maria Isabel Cubillos, a 43-year-old avenue vendor, advised the Reuters information company within the capital Bogota.

Así está la Plaza de armas en Bogotá. pic.twitter.com/DTDLtAKYeC

— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) February 14, 2023

Petro’s push for expanded healthcare entry suits into his bigger platform of decreasing poverty and financial inequality in Colombia, the place he was elected final June because the first leftist president within the nation’s historical past.

“I don't need two nations, simply as I don't need two societies. I desire a sturdy, simply and united Colombia,” Petro stated in his inaugural speech in August.

The president additionally hopes to institute modifications for labour and pensions, and supply subsidies for the aged and people in poverty, in addition to free college training for individuals who can't in any other case afford it.

On Tuesday, crowds marched within the streets of Colombia’s huge cities, heeding Petro’s name to make a public present of assist that the president hopes will ship a message to his fellow politicians.

That well-liked assist might play a significant position in swaying extra conservative members of Petro’s coalition in Congress, which incorporates politicians from left-wing, centre and right-wing events. The coalition has supported a few of his priorities, resembling tax-system reform, however is extra divided on the problem of healthcare.

Opposition teams additionally referred to as for marches and requested the general public to rally towards the well being package deal, which they characterised as a risk to the nation’s financial stability.

Traditionally marginalised teams — together with poor, Indigenous and Afro-Colombian populations — helped propel Petro to the presidency within the conservative South American nation, which has a protracted historical past of inequality and political violence.

A part of Petro’s strategy whereas in workplace has been to enter into negotiations with armed teams, together with the Nationwide Liberation Military.

“We assume the mandate of CHANGE from the Colombian folks,” Vice President Francia Marquez stated on Twitter on Tuesday. “Let’s dignify the well being system!”

Petro, a former insurgent fighter, has promised to handle Colombia’s a long time of violence by increasing companies for the marginalised and reducing financial inequality, objectives that garner each hope and scepticism.

“We assist the proposals for change for all times, well being, agrarian, pension and training reforms,” stated 55-year-old Nelson Pereira. “It isn't truthful that the poor proceed to be subjugated. We want social justice, extra fairness, that there aren't any privileges for well being companies well being.”