The celebration of the 216th anniversary of Colombia’s Independence, which takes place this Monday (20), in Bogotá, will be held in a context of diverse social mobilizations and cultural activities that seek to highlight a set of citizen demands.
On July 20, 1810, the Act of Independence was signed in the city of Santa Fé (now Bogotá), Colombia, marking the beginning of the movement that led to the country’s independence.
According to official and historical documents from the District Legal Secretariat and the General Archive of the Nation, an extraordinary meeting of the council was held at 6:00 pm that day in response to the political crisis that had affected the Spanish monarchy since 1808 and the popular outcry, which allowed the establishment of an autonomous government and laid the foundations for definitive emancipation.
One of the highlights of this year’s patriotic celebration is that, for the first time, the traditional military and police parade on July 20 will take place in the city of Ciudad Bolívar.
Petro’s call to action and his public farewell as Head of State
Gustavo Petro, the Colombian president, once again used his social networks to invite citizens to a national mobilization. The outgoing president is asking his supporters to take to the streets to show support for the social reforms promoted during his term.
The call generated controversy, as, in addition to being a patriotic date, July 20, 2026 is the day of installation of the new Congress of the Republic for the period 2026-2030.
Through his social networks, Petro expressed: “(…) let’s shout for the second independence in all public squares in the country. Let’s dance on July 20th, because dancing scares away negative energies. May the sun shine over Colombia and may hope prevail.”
According to the Colombian president, after the military parade, anyone who wishes will be able to participate in an event where he will say goodbye to the presidency.
“We will not do this on the 6th or 7th of August; that is a tragic date. We will do it on the 20th of July in all public squares in Colombia”, he emphasized.
Call to action from Colombian social movements
According to data compiled by El Espectador, at least seven different activities were planned, including marches, sit-in protests and cultural events; most of them will end at Plaza de Bolívar.
The program of activities includes events such as “Thank you very much, Mr. President”, a cultural event that will take place at 8 am in the park next to the Redeemer Church, in the Villa Ximena neighborhood, located in the Tunjuelito district.
Likewise, marches such as “July 20th on the streets #CivilDisobedience”, called by the Historic Pact, stand out. This will begin at 9am at different points in the city, including the Central Cemetery, the District Planetarium, 72nd Street and Seventh Avenue and 30th Avenue and 45th Street; It is expected to end at Plaza Bolívar.
Another mobilization is the “Southeast for the Defense of Colombia”, promoted by the Alliance for Life – Popular Pact for the Defense of Colombia. It will also start at 9am on Carrera 10 and Calle 27 Sur, in the San Cristóbal region, and head towards Plaza de Bolívar.
As another activity, at 9:30 am, at the technological headquarters of the District University, located in Ciudad Bolívar, the M-19 Movement called for a demonstration with the motto “For dignity, justice and social transformation”.
The teachers union, Fecode, also held the “Free and Sovereign Colombia” protest at 11am at the El Ensueño Shopping Center.
As a result, many major thoroughfares will be affected; therefore, authorities advised citizens to be aware of traffic disruptions.
Source: www.brasildefato.com.br
