This May 1st is shaping up to be a significant day in the final stretch of the current Government in Colombia, as well as the presidential elections that reach the polls on the last day of the month. The day, during the commemoration of International Workers’ Day, is framed by a new call from leftist president Gustavo Petro to defend the reform agenda of his Administration, as well as his proposal for a National Constituent Assembly. The trade union and pensioners’ organizations that make up the National Unitary Command have called for mobilization in support of the large increase in the minimum wage issued by the Government.
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The atmosphere surrounding the marches is also influenced by the fifth anniversary of the 2021 social outbreak, an anniversary that has mobilized youth platforms and community collectives, who see the day as an opportunity to demonstrate. The 2026 day has a special mobility device coordinated by the Ministry of Transport.
Bogotá, usual epicenter of the marches: meeting points and schedules
The capital of the country is the traditional central axis of the demonstrations. According to official reports from the Bogotá Government Secretariat, activities will formally begin at 8:00 a.m., although the main gathering is scheduled for 10:00 (Colombian time) in the central Plaza de Bolívar.
Parque Nacional (9:00) and the District Planetarium (10:00) will serve as starting points for student organizations and teachers’ unions, who will advance along the iconic Carrera Séptima. Traffic towards the historic center will cause total closures on Carrera Décima and considerable disruptions on Avenida Jiménez, so authorities recommend using alternate routes such as Avenida NQS or Avenida Circunvalar.
Medellín, the venue chosen by Petro
In a message posted on his social networks, Petro has informed that he will lead the May 1st march in Medellín. “This May 1st I will be with the working people in Medellín,” he wrote. The meeting point will be on San Juan Avenue at the height of La Alpujarra, in the historic and administrative center of Colombia’s second city, at 12:30. In the Antioquia capital, the marches will concentrate in the Parque Obrero area, extending towards La Alpujarra. Mobility will be interrupted on Avenida Oriental and Calle San Juan from the early hours of the morning.
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Demonstrations in other cities of Colombia
Cali, for its part, maintains its tradition of mobilization at strategic points such as Universidad del Valle and Puerto Rellena, now recognized as a nerve center of social concentration. In the capital of Valle, the MIO mass transit system usually suspends operations on trunk routes to avoid incidents during the passage of human columns.
In the Caribbean region, Barranquilla and Cartagena have reported plans for detours on their main arteries, such as Vía 40 and Avenida Pedro de Heredia, respectively, where marches usually end before noon due to the climatic conditions of the Caribbean region.
Safety and transportation recommendations
District and national authorities have issued a series of guidelines for those who decide to participate or need to travel during the day. The main recommendation is to check the official channels of TransMilenio and the transport systems of each city to know station closures in real time. Citizens are advised to plan their routes at least two hours in advance and prioritize the use of alternative means of transport in areas adjacent to the concentration perimeters.
Finally, the Health Secretariat recommends maintaining constant hydration and carrying identification documents, while social dialogue teams urge the peaceful resolution of any conflict that may arise during the routes.