Colombians angry with conservative President Iván Duque hoped to channel Latin America’s wave of discontent as they took to the streets Thursday with a long list of grievances, from persistent economic inequality to violence against social activists.

Michelle Begue reports from Carrera Séptima, one of the main avenues in Bogota.

Thousands of students, teachers and labor union organizers gathered for what could be one of the nation’s biggest demonstrations in recent years, testing an unpopular government as unrest grips the region.

Analysts were skeptical, however, that the event would generate any prolonged unrest like that seen recently in Bolivia, Chile and Ecuador, noting a lack of unifying factors in a divided country that is one of the region’s stronger economic performers.

“We’re not in a pre-insurrectional climate,” said Yann Basset, a professor at Bogota’s Rosario University. “I’m not sure there’s a general rejection of the political system.”

CGTN's Michelle Begue is covering the protest

The Duque government is nevertheless on edge, deploying 170,000 officers to enforce security while closing border crossings and deporting 24 Venezuelans accused of entering the country to instigate unrest.

“They are preparing as if for a war,” said Ariel Ávila, deputy director of the Peace and Reconciliation Foundation. “But it’s very vague what they’ve shared about any potential disturbances.”

Duque, who has a lackluster 26% percent approval rating, has gone on a charm offensive seeking to connect with citizens and counter erroneous claims on social media that he has proposed to raise the retirement age and reduce wages for young workers.

“I’m not here to talk about a garden of roses,” he said in a radio interview. “I’m talking about a country that is recovering, an economy that is improving and is today one of the best in Latin America.”

Story by the Associated Press.