Tens of thousands of Colombians protest against leftist president's agenda

Thousands of Colombians took to the streets Sunday in the latest rebuke of leftist President Gustavo Petro's reform agenda.

The demonstrations took place in several cities, including the capital. Protesters filled Bolivar Plaza outside the presidential palace in Bogotá.

UN NEWSLETTER EXPOSED FOR SHARING WAYS TO PROTEST IN US AGAINST ISRAEL ON TAX DAY

While protests have been constant since the former leftist guerrilla took office in 2022, they've gained momentum of late. Petro has floated the possibility of rewriting the constitution to spur social reforms that he's been unable to advance in the face of opposition by a hostile congress and conservative business groups.

Retired military take part in a rally to protest economic and social reforms pushed by the government of President Gustavo Petro and his proposal to convene a constituent assembly at the Bolivar Square in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)



Anti-government demonstrators march to protest economic and social reforms pushed by the government of President Gustavo Petro and his proposal to convene a constituent assembly in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)



Anti-government demonstrators rally to protest economic and social reforms pushed by the government of President Gustavo Petro and his proposal to convene a constituent assembly at the Bolivar Square in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Petro recently suffered an important defeat when Colombia's congress refused to pass legislation to boost state control of the country's health care system aimed at improving and lowering the cost of medical care.

In response to the defeat, Petro ordered by decree the takeover of two of the country's top medical insurers, on which millions of Colombians depend.