Shakira Shares A Powerful Tweet In Support Of Colombian Protesters

From Barcelona, where she lives, Shakira has lent her voice to an already massive uprising. "Bullets will never be able to silence the voices of those who suffer," she tweeted in a second tweet, "It's fundamental that we aren't deaf to the cries of our people." In a third tweet, Shakira called directly on  the Colombian government to "take urgent measures, to stop the human rights violations, and to restore the value of human life over that of any political interest." J Balivn has also come out against the Colombian government's authoritarian reaction to the protests, tweeting, "Colombia can't take this no more." 

The singers' pleas may help serve to give essential, international, visibility to Colombian protestors. International media attention, as Pilar Lizcano and her fellow organizer, Valentina Prieto, affirmed is often a guarantee of "life" during the protests — a way to hold the government accountable for its actions. "We need people to see what is happening in the country," Prieto said, "that in the streets today, people are using everything from music to joy, to art to graffiti to voice their opposition to the government ... but also that [in response the authorities] are killing the youth." 

Meanwhile, Colombia's president, Iván Duque, is widely considered to be a disciple of former president, Álvaro Uribe, who recently tweeted his support for the use of police force (via La Semana). Twitter deleted the post, accusing Uribe of glorifying violence.