Colombia: Third general strike keeps pressure on Duque

Thousands of protesters took part in anti-government demonstrations inColombia's capital Bogota and other cities Wednesday during the country'sthirdgeneralstrikein two weeks.

Strikeleaders say they intend to maintainpressureonright-wing President IvanDuque's government, after brushing aside his appeals to cancel thestrikeonthe grounds its effects were crippling the economy.

But crowds were smaller than previous demonstrations as protests took place for a 14th consecutive day.

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Some roads were blocked in the capital and in the northeastern city of Cali, but many businesses remained open.

Around 250,000 people took part in the first demonstration againstDuque's 15-month-old governmentonNovember 21, when the initialgeneralstrikebrought the country to a standstill.

Watch: Talks between Colombia strike committee, government end in deadlock

"The Colombian people have woken up!" shouted Paola Jiminez, a 41-year-old lawyer taking part in a pot-banging "cacerolazo" demonstration in Bogota.

"Colombians are finding it more and more difficult financially," she said.

A student taking part in one of several peaceful protests in Bogota, who gave his name as Nicolas, held up a banner saying: "The state lies more than my ex."

Police were deployed in nearby streets, but there were no confrontations of the kind that have marred some protests over the last two weeks, during which four people died. Some 500 have been injured.

OnTuesday, the Colombian NationalStrikeCommittee,comprising unions, students and teacher organisations, indigenous groups and the opposition, met directly withDuque's advisors for the first time but reached no agreement.

Another meeting was scheduled for Thursday.

Under fire for his economic policies and corruption in the country,Duquelaunched a national dialogue with mayors and other officials 10 days ago.

Thestrikecommittee has presentedDuquewith a list of 13 demands, including the withdrawal of his proposed tax reforms, and full compliance with the 2016 peace deal with FARC guerrillas.

Among them is a call to dismantle the feared ESMAD riot police, widely criticised for its heavy-handed response to protesters.

Duquehas yielded to some of the demandsontax reform, announcing the return of Value Added Tax to the poorest 20 per cent of the population and benefits for companies that hire young people