BOGOTA: Colombian peasant farmers launched a national protest Monday against what they said was the government's failure to make good on promised subsidies for small-scale agriculture.
The dispute, which has simmered since last year, is centered on intense opposition by farmers to Colombia's free trade agreements with the United States and EU, which they regard as a threat to their livelihoods.
"We will fight to stay on the farms, for the right to work," vowed Cesar Pachon, a protest organizer.
Organizers said they expected 20,000 to 30,000 small farmers, or campesinos, to take part in the open-ended protests.
But as of Monday morning police had reported no incidents and highways entering the city were clear, guarded by a heavy police and military presence.
Angry farmers last year blocked key highways and clashed with authorities in protests that resulted in several deaths over a two month period.
The government of President Juan Manuel Santos, who is running for reelection May 25, has warned protesters will not be allowed to block main routes again.
Santos on Sunday said the protests were "unjustified" because the government has been delivering on its promised support.
Recent meetings between the campesino groups and the government have ended in failure, however.
"If any protests turn violent, we will suspend the conversations we have been having," said Agriculture Minister Ruben Dario Lizarralde.
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