Colombia Braces for Nationwide Strikes.
Colombia is heading into a period of widespread protests and disruptions as major labor unions and social organizations call for two national strikes, one lasting 48 hours on May 28 and 29, and another planned for June 11.
The strikes are part of a growing push for a national referendum on long-stalled labor and healthcare reforms.
At the center of this movement is frustration with Congress, which has resisted key reform proposals aimed at improving working conditions and expanding healthcare access.
President Gustavo Petro has publicly backed the strikes, calling on Colombians to take to the streets and make their voices heard. He’s even suggested that an indefinite strike might be necessary if lawmakers refuse to act.
The upcoming strikes are expected to disrupt daily life across Colombia. Cities like Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali could see major protests, roadblocks, and delays in public services. Schools, public transportation, and government offices may experience significant interruptions as workers join the demonstrations.
Colombia Nationwide Strikes (@PTrabajoC on X)
Organizers plan to mobilize workers and activists on May 28 and 29 for the initial two-day strike. If there’s no progress by then, a follow-up strike will take place on June 11, lasting for at least 24 hours.
Union leader Over Dorado has already warned that if the Senate continues to block the referendum, they’re prepared to escalate to an indefinite general strike.
Fabio Arias, a prominent leader of the Central Unitaria de Trabajadores (CUT), posted a message on social media inviting the public to join the strikes. In his tweet, he called on people to mobilize “for social reforms and against the oligarchic sectors that are undermining the rights of the people.”
Invitación a nombre del @PTrabajoC para el paro del 28 y 29 de mayo por la consulta popular las reformas sociales y encontrá de los sectores oligárquicos que hunden los derechos del pueblo. pic.twitter.com/CP7x8IlPpi
— Fabio Arias Giraldo (@fabioariascut) May 27, 2025
This confrontation has been building since Petro’s election in 2022. His administration promised sweeping reforms to address long-standing social and economic inequalities, but opposition forces in Congress have repeatedly stalled his efforts.
In response, Petro’s government submitted a new referendum proposal during a major social summit in Bogotá, seeking to take the decision directly to the Colombian people.
The proposed reforms are ambitious. They would expand worker rights, strengthen job protections, and give unions more bargaining power. On the healthcare front, the reforms aim to improve public health services and make care more affordable and accessible for ordinary Colombians.
Did You Know?
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Colombia has a long history of national strikes. The most significant wave of protests in recent years was in 2021, when widespread demonstrations against tax reforms and police brutality shook the nation for months.
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Gustavo Petro, Colombia's current president, is the country’s first leftist leader in modern history. His presidency has focused on social justice, environmental protection, and reducing inequality.
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Fabio Arias, who called for the strike on social media, is a key figure in the CUT (Central Unitaria de Trabajadores), Colombia’s largest union federation, which has been at the forefront of organizing major protests for decades.
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Colombia’s healthcare system has faced long-standing challenges, with public hospitals underfunded and many rural communities lacking basic medical services. The proposed reforms aim to address these gaps and provide universal access to care.
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Bogotá, the capital city, often becomes the epicenter of political and social movements in Colombia. Massive marches, rallies, and cultural expressions of protest have long been part of the city’s identity during times of national crisis.
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