Colombian Protesters Topple Statue of Christopher Columbus in Barranquilla

Colombian protesters toppled and vandalized a statue of Christopher Columbus in the city of Barranquilla on Monday, June 28, amid nationwide demonstrations that have targeted other monuments of historical figures.

According to local news reports, protesters dragged the head of the statue along the city’s roads. Barranquilla Mayor Jaime Pumarejo responded to Monday’s unrest by calling for peaceful protests.

In the capital city of Bogota, statues of conquistador Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada, Isabel I of Castile, and Christopher Columbus have been attacked in recent months, local media reported. Officials are prepared to prosecute protesters responsible for the vandalism, according to the Colombian police.

This video shared by Sebastian Linero shows a crowd cheering as they use ropes to pull the statue off its plinth. Credit: Sebastian Linero via Storyful