Colombia has observed protests for the last few weeks, these protests led to the deaths of scores of civilians, the militarization of public spaces and internet blackouts in cities such as Cali. While these protests emerged in relation to the proposal of an increase on the value-added tax (VAT) for less wealthy citizens, the protests and the demands from citizens in the street illustrate the salience of deep inequalities informing the mobilizations. Read the Mail and Guardian article on this by Fabio Andrés Díaz Pabón and Maria Gabriela Palacio which was published on 11 May.