Standing up to riot cops and tanks firing water cannon and tear gas, 15,000 unionists marched through downtown Bogotá.

They voiced opposition to the new finance minister's proposed budget of "sweat and tears" that will cut 5,000 jobs of public employees and reduce real wages.

Unions in the cities and peasant organizations in the countryside marched against the government's "Plan Colombia," the U.S.-financed "antidrug" and counter-insurgency plan, which will lead to increased U.S. military intervention in the country. In the coffee-growing region, for example, peasants blocked highways between Pereira and Manizales.

Oil workers, telecommunications workers, teachers, and hospital employees were among those who took part in the strike, organized by three trade union federations, the United Confederation of Workers of Colombia (CUT), General Confederation of Democratic Workers (CGTD), and Confederation of Workers of Colombia (CTC). Union officials warned they are planning an indefinite strike.

U.S. president William Clinton announced that he and a bipartisan delegation of 30 congresspeople, including House leader Dennis Hastert, will visit Colombia August 30. Clinton said the purpose of his brief visit--he plans to leave before sundown--is to "personally underscore America's support for Colombia's efforts to seek peace, fight illicit drugs, build its economy, and deepen democracy." The $1.3 billion U.S. aid package to the regime includes 60 military helicopters, 500 troops, military training, a beefed-up spy network, and crop eradication, which peasants have protested.

Meanwhile, the Colombian government announced that the state-owned telecommunications company will be put on the auction block September 12 for two prospective bidders, Telefónica de España and Telecom Italia.