What is Esmad, the special force accused of killing a student during the protest in Colombia

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Dilan Cruz collapsed before the eyes of the crowd. He was struck by an artifact that shot, straight in the head, a black armor policeman. His death was recorded, and Dilan is now a symbol of a cause: the dissolution of the special force that represses protests in Colombia.

In a week of demonstrations against the government of Iván Duque, the Mobile Anti-Riot Squadron (Esmad) concentrates the anger of young people in the streets, following what happened with his 18-year-old companion, injured by an agent of that body Police on Saturday.

"Dilan did not die, Dilan was killed," protesters sang to the rhythm of pans as soon as the hospital that attended him issued the last medical part, on Monday night.

Since then in the streets it is claimed for the dissolution of Esmad, the special force created 20 years ago to control riots, crowds and blockades.

Before, it was the military and other police forces that were responsible for this task under the state of exception that ruled regularly in the country before the explosion of guerrilla groups in the sixties.

Esmad has been questioned since its origin for its excesses. "In this last demonstration ... the action has been totally disproportionate," lawyer Daniela Rodríguez, of the Movement of Victims of State Crimes (Movice), tells AFP.

Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch (HRW) and the Ombudsman (Ombudsman) denounced the excessive use of the force of Esmad during the marches that began on November 21.

Colombia got on the train of social unrest that travels the continent after the outbursts in Ecuador (10 dead), Bolivia (33 dead) and Chile (23 dead).

The country that gravitated around the armed conflict with the FARC for half a century, the guerrillas that signed the peace three years ago, opens up to a new reality: that of social pressure without the stigma of subversion.

Not lethal?

Dilan Cruz was badly injured in downtown Bogotá and his agony was recorded in cell phone videos that circulated on social networks. A thread of blood ran along the pavement.

"What is that?" Is heard saying behind the back of paramedics. An object wrapped in a white cloth was embedded in the skull of the student