The mobilization seeks to pressure Congress to guarantee workers’ rights, said a SintraONGS spokesperson. On Thursday, Colombians continued their two-day national strike in support of a popular referendum on labor reform promoted by President Gustavo Petro.

In Bogota, workers, and students gathered in the morning at the National Park with flags and loudspeakers, organized by the leftist Historic Pact party, the Single Central of Workers (CUT), the Colombian Federation of Educators (FECODE), the General Confederation of Labor (CGT), and other grassroots social organizations.

Citizens marched through the streets to the rhythm of batucada in a spectacle that included some protesters on stilts waving Colombian flags. As the march advanced along Seventh Avenue, people from other parts of the city joined the mobilization, which maintained a festive and combative tone.

The massive march arrived at Bolivar Square, where citizens waved Colombian and Palestinian flags, symbolizing the convergence of social struggles in the agenda of the popular mobilization. “This mobilization is part of the national strike to pressure Congress to guarantee workers’ rights,” said Yeimi Cante, spokesperson for the Union of Workers of Non-Governmental and Social Organizations (SintraONGS).

Bolivar Square was filled with banners proclaiming “The referendum will happen because it will happen” and “The people say so and they are right,” while citizens shouted slogans against 30 years of neoliberal governments that have stripped Colombians of their labor rights with the false promise of creating more jobs.

“Labor legislation is more than 80 years old. We are proposing that it should be more progressive and updated in accordance with reality,” said CGT President Percy Oyola, who announced that another national strike has been called for June 11.

“Today we are here because the social, political, and popular summit determined that we would hold a 48-hour strike,” he added, denouncing that the political elites “continue to steal Colombia’s chances of having better working conditions.”

This week, social protests were sparked by the Senate’s rejection of a referendum on labor reform, which was proposed by President Petro, who called on citizens to take to the streets to defend social justice.

“We’re here because this issue isn’t just about politics, it’s about dignity. We don’t want to grow up in a country where working means precariousness and fear of getting sick,” said Mariana, a sociology student who was marching with a banner demanding the approval of the referendum.

We are focused on resuming five-party consultations in the Russia-Nicaragua-Bolivia-Venezuela-Cuba format, Shoigu said. On Thursday, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu called for the resumption of security consultations with his country’s key Latin American allies.

“In addition to bilateral negotiations, we are focused on resuming five-party consultations in the Russia-Nicaragua-Bolivia-Venezuela-Cuba format,” he said during a meeting with Jose Ornelas, the secretary of the Venezuelan National Defense Council, held as part of the 13th Moscow International Security Conference.

Shoigu stated that Venezuela is one of Russia’s “key allies and strategic partners” in Latin America and internationally. He emphasized that relations between Moscow and Caracas are constantly expanding with new, mutually beneficial projects.

“Bilateral political dialogue is developing intensively at the highest levels,” he said, noting that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro visited Russia in early May to take part in celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Victory in World War II.

“During that visit, he held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. We are focused on implementing the agreements reached. For our part, we confirm our interest in organizing dialogue at the level of security councils,” Shoigu said.

In Baracoa, Cuba’s chocolate capital, the legacy of cacao cultivation and chocolate production remains deeply woven into the town’s identity. For José Alexander Eugellés, who has worked in Baracoa’s chocolate factory for 28 years, crafting chocolate is more than a profession—it’s a way of life, inherited from his father and shared with his sister.

The factory, inaugurated in April 1963 by revolutionary leader Che Guevara, processes all of Cuba’s chocolate, relying on Baracoa’s unique climate and fertile soil for high-quality cacao. With annual rainfall of 1,500–2,500 mm and an average temperature between 24–28°C, the region remains Cuba’s top cacao producer, contributing 75% of national output.

The chocolate-making process in Baracoa’s factory demands 24-hour shifts, beginning with roasting cacao seeds at 150°C, followed by shelling, grinding, and pressing to extract cocoa butter. The resulting cocoa powder becomes the base for artisan chocolates, natillas, and confectionery blends.

A recent $8.5 million investment modernized production lines, replacing older machinery with Swiss and Italian technology, doubling processing capacity from 3,000 tons annually. However, in October 2016, Hurricane Matthew devastated cacao farms, severely impacting exports to Europe, reducing shipments from 400 to just 250 tons.

Despite hardships, chocolate remains a lifeline for Baracoa, sustaining hundreds of families and preserving traditions dating back to the early 19th century, when cacao first arrived via Santiago de Cuba. While locals may not know the legend of Quetzalcoatl, the Aztec god who gifted cacao, their dedication to this craft ensures that Cuban chocolate remains a symbol of resilience and pride.