Colombia is now two weeks into ever-escalating violent unrest as people have hit the streets to protest a proposal for significant tax increases, the government claimed were necessary as part of an economic recovery package.

At least 24 people have been killed in the chaos. Eight of those deaths were believed to be caused by the police. Approximately 800 people have been injured, and around 80 are missing.

The mobs have recently taken to targeting small police outposts for looting and vandalizing. Witness videos show firearms being used by both the police and the rioters. Streets are being blocked and buildings destroyed.

While mob violence is rarely justifiable, it just seems mind-blowing that the government's answer to a Covid-exacerbated economic downturn would be to increase the tax burden on those most effected by the economic crisis.