Colombia negotiator rebuffs protesters' claims gov't unwilling to talk

Demonstrators clash with police during anti-government protests, in Medellin, Colombia June 28, 2021. REUTERS/Santiago Mesa

BOGOTA (Reuters) - The Colombian government's chief negotiator on Tuesday rebuffed accusations from the leaders of protests that President Ivan Duque's administration was not committed to talks, saying it was listening to people's frustrations but would not allow violence.

Last week, a senior protest leader warned that demonstrations - which have been rumbling for two months - would step up a gear in the second half of the year if neither the government nor Congress meet protesters' demands.