Zapping Our Mondial EXCLUDED: Steve Mandanda’s “Little Brother” interview!
From Duván Zapata to James, from Barrios to Cuadrado, to Ospina, Falcao, Higuita and Valderrama… a huge majority of Colombian players and former players have supported the people. And thus highlighted in the eyes of the world, thanks to their notoriety, what is happening right now at home. ” I love my country as a person, I feel bad for what is happening there and the distance makes everything more difficult James said in particular. While Colombia, land of football par excellence, should prepare to vibrate for the Copa América, the most beautiful party on the continent, it rather mourns its dead. Its many, too many dead killed as a result of demonstrations to express their fed up with the government.
A tax reform as a spark
Iván Duque Márquez, current ultra-liberal president of the country, has decided in the midst of a pandemic to launch a tax reform: among the measures are, in first place, the increase in VAT on basic necessities. From milk to bread, eggs to meat and medicines… Prices have soared. The logical consequence is the loss of the purchasing power of the population, already hard hit by the Covid-19. Protests have flared up and spiraled out of control in all Colombian cities. Duque chose to use violence against his own people rather than dialogue, taking the buck by exploiting the looting that accompanied the protests as justification for the disproportionate use of force.
“Let’s respect the right to demonstrate! “
From Bogota to Cali, to Medellín – where La Escombrera, the largest mass grave in all of Latin America, has become topical again in these days of struggle and mourning – as well as in the Cauca Valley, people are crying: more of 30 dead, 814 arbitrary arrests, 1,443 cases of police abuse, 10 of sexual violence, 21 of eye injuries and 77 of use of firearms against demonstrators, while 87 people are missing, according to the report of the Office of the Colombian Ombudsman. Inadmissible for René Higuita. ” There is a sad country, our hearts bleed to see our dead brothers, the abuses, the indolence of those who rule us », He explains. Radamél Falcao appealed to him: “ Respect the right to demonstrate! »
Rediscover joy and unity
So yes, in view of the dramatic situation, the Colombians are miles away from taking an interest in the Copa América and whether the competition can be held. Wherever they are on the planet, they cry and demand that these atrocities stop. A hospitable and warm people, Colombians deserve smiles and opportunities to come together. To stand up, united, behind their long-standing team. To launch fireworks after a goal or a victory of the Coffee growers. And not to fire cannons between them. “Let us all seek the path to peace”, declared The kid Carlos Valderrama. The wisest advice possible.
Theo Sivazlian
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