Colombia president announces policing changes as protest leaders call off talks

FILE PHOTO: Colombia's President Ivan Duque speaks during an interview with Reuters in Bogota, Colombia, March 12, 2021. Picture taken March 12, 2021. REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez/File Photo

BOGOTA (Reuters) -Colombia's government will ask congress to approve better human rights training for police and increase oversight of officers, President Ivan Duque said on Sunday, amid accusations of police brutality during recent anti-government protests.

An umbrella national strike committee, made up of unions, student groups and other civil society organizations, suspended negotiations with the government aimed at reaching a deal to end demonstrations because it says the government has not yet signed a pre-agreement reached late last month.