Bogotá, Colombia – March 28, 2025 – Thousands of Colombians gathered in Bogotá’s Plaza de Bolívar today to protest a proposed tax reform bill, marking the third consecutive day of demonstrations in the capital. The bill, introduced by President Gustavo Petro’s administration, aims to increase taxes on high-income earners and corporations to fund social programs, but critics argue it places an undue burden on the middle class and small businesses.
Police estimated the crowd at 5,000, while organizers claimed attendance exceeded 10,000. Protesters, including union leaders, students, and small business owners, held signs and chanted slogans demanding the government withdraw the proposal. “This reform will crush us,” said Ana María Gómez, a shop owner from the city’s downtown. “We’re already struggling with inflation and now this.”
The tax reform bill, presented to Congress last month, seeks to raise an additional 15 trillion pesos ($3.2 billion) annually. It includes a 5% tax hike for individuals earning over 10 million pesos ($2,100) per month and a 3% increase in corporate taxes for companies with annual profits exceeding 500 million pesos ($105,000). The government has stated the revenue will support healthcare, education, and poverty reduction initiatives, aligning with Petro’s “Total Peace” agenda.
Finance Minister Diego Guevara defended the reform in a press conference yesterday, stating that 80% of the tax burden would fall on the wealthiest 5% of Colombians. “This is about fairness,” Guevara said. “We need to address inequality, and this reform ensures those who can pay more do so.” However, opposition lawmakers and economists have questioned the government’s projections, citing a lack of transparency in how the funds will be allocated.
The protests turned tense in the late afternoon when a group of demonstrators clashed with police near the Congress building. Authorities deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd after reports of rocks being thrown. At least 12 people were arrested, and three officers sustained minor injuries, according to the Bogotá Metropolitan Police. No serious injuries among protesters were reported.
The demonstrations reflect broader discontent with the Petro administration, which has faced criticism for its handling of economic challenges. Colombia’s inflation rate reached 6.8% in February 2025, and unemployment remains at 9.2%, per the National Administrative Department of Statistics. Small business owners, a key demographic in the protests, have cited rising operational costs as a primary concern.
Opposition leader Senator María Fernanda Cabal called for the bill’s rejection, arguing it would stifle economic growth. “This government is out of touch with reality,” Cabal said during a session of Congress. “Taxing the productive sectors in a recession is a recipe for disaster.” Meanwhile, some left-leaning lawmakers have expressed cautious support for the reform but urged amendments to protect lower-income families.
President Petro addressed the protests in a televised statement this evening, calling for dialogue. “I hear the concerns of the people,” he said. “We are open to adjustments, but we cannot abandon our commitment to social justice.” He announced a meeting with union leaders and business representatives scheduled for next week to discuss potential revisions to the bill.
The protests in Bogotá follow a pattern of unrest over economic policies in Colombia. In 2021, a similar tax reform proposal under then-President Iván Duque sparked nationwide demonstrations, leading to its withdrawal. Analysts suggest the current unrest could escalate if the government fails to address public concerns. For now, protesters have vowed to continue their demonstrations, with plans for a national strike next month if the bill moves forward unchanged.
