At least six dead in protests in Colombia

Newspaper El Tiempo spoke of six dead, while RCN Radio reported at least seven had died.

Colombian President Ivan Duque on Friday night sent additional military assistance to support police in the Valle del Cauca district, the epicentre of the protests of which Cali is the capital, after several people died in protests earlier in the day.

"This operation will almost triple our capacity in the whole province in less than 24 hours," Duque said.

Overnight he extended the order to seven other districts.

Four people died on Friday in Cali in armed clashes over street blocks which have been affecting the mobility of residents and goods, local media reported.

Since the end of April, there have been numerous protests in different cities in the South American country.

At least 44 people have died in connection with the demonstrations, according to the national ombudsman's office.

Initially, the demonstrators had protested against a tax reform that has since been withdrawn.

Opposition to a health reform - now also scrapped - and advocacy for the fragile peace process were then some of the new issues that brought people out onto the streets.

Colombia has lived through a civil war that lasted more than 50 years and cost the lives of 220,000 people.

In 2016, the government made a peace agreement with the FARC guerrilla movement, boosting the economy and the tourism industry - but peace is fragile and police violence widespread.

Australian Associated Press