Ivan Duque least popular Colombian president on record: Poll - Al Jazeera English

Pressure has increased on Duque amid widespread anti-government protests in recent weeks.

Colombian leader Ivan Duque, who has faced widespread anti-government protests in recent weeks, has become the country’s most unpopular president ever, according to a new poll.

A telephone survey of 1,200 people by Invamer pollster found that 76 percent of respondents disapproved of the right-wing politician’s performance as president – compared with 59 percent in February.

The dismal rating on Tuesday beat the previous record of 74-percent disapproval set by conservative Andres Pastrana, who was president from 1998 to 2002 and led failed peace negotiations with leftist fighters.

Duque’s popularity has plummeted since social unrest broke out at the end of April, initially over a now-abandoned tax reform plan.

A protester in Bogota holds up a sign that reads in Spanish: ‘Get out Duque’ [File: Fernando Vergara/The Associated Press]

The protesters’ demands have since expanded to include the withdrawal of proposed health reform, an end to widespread violence in the country, and steps to address economic inequality.

Crackdowns by security forces have left dozens of people dead, although the exact toll remains unclear. Officially, 43 people have died in clashes since the anti-government demonstrations started.

The Invamer survey also indicated that 89 percent of Colombians support the protests rocking the country, and 56 percent had a negative opinion of the police.

Protests have persisted after the president withdrew a controversial tax reform plan [Joaquin Sarmiento/AFP]

However, 60 percent rejected the roadblocks set up by some protesters, while 61 percent agreed with the deployment of the military to combat vandalism.

The crackdowns on protests have garnered international condemnation, although Duque has blamed armed groups for much of the violence.

Last week, former president and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Juan Manuel Santos, urged Duque to assume responsibility for abuses committed by the police.

“We need more gestures, we need more empathy and more humility, and for the state to recognise: ‘Look, we committed abuses’,” Santos told W Radio.

Adblock test (Why?)

"popular" - Google News
May 26, 2021 at 05:16PM
https://ift.tt/34pSKVD

Ivan Duque least popular Colombian president on record: Poll - Al Jazeera English
"popular" - Google News
https://ift.tt/33ETcgo
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update

Bagikan Berita Ini