Colombia president's move to label protesters 'peace managers' sparks controversy

FILE PHOTO: Colombian President Gustavo Petro speaks to journalists about his government's first 100 days, in Bogota, Colombia November 15, 2022. REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Opponents of Colombia President Gustavo Petro on Monday insisted that people jailed for participating in anti-government protests in 2021 were in prison for breaking the law, not demonstrating, after Petro announced plans to name dozens of youths as peace managers, paving the way for their release.

Petro, Colombia's first leftist president who took power in August, promised in his campaign earlier this year to release dozens of young people prosecuted and imprisoned for participating in demonstrations in 2021.