The death toll in Colombia’s protests against police abuse has risen to 11, local media reported on Friday, after a second night of attacks against police posts and clashes with security forces.
Defence Minister Carlos Trujillo confirmed 10 deaths since Wednesday.
They occurred in Bogota and in nearby Soacha, and included a woman who was hit by a bus hijacked by protesters, he said.
Broadcaster Caracol, daily El Tiempo and other media outlets put the death toll at 11.
The unrest started on Wednesday after the publication of a video in which two police officers were seen pinning lawyer Javier Ordonez to the ground and shocking him with a stun pistol.
Ordonez, whom the officers accused of violating coronavirus restrictions, was then taken to a police post and allegedly beaten, leading to his death.
The case unleashed two days of protests during which 209 civilians and 194 police officers were injured nationwide, according to figures given by Holmes Trujillo.
Fifty-four small and six large police stations and 91 vehicles were damaged, including 13 buses that were set on fire in Bogota, the minister added.
About 90 people were arrested.
Bogota Mayor Claudia Lopez said more than 50 people had been wounded by bullets in the capital.
She accused police of using firearms indiscriminately and without authorisation.
Holmes Trujillo attributed the violence to a social media movement trying to tarnish the reputation of police and inciting violence.
The Defence Ministry said measures were being taken to “control public order.”
Nearly 2,000 extra police and soldiers were due to be deployed in Bogota.
Meanwhile, enjoy this short video and don’t forget to subscribe.
