Ipiales water shortage protests block major road

Community leaders and merchants in the Colombian border city of Ipiales have kept blockades in place to demand an end to a persistent water‑supply crisis. The protests have shut down the Seventh and Eighth avenues, a key corridor that connects the city with San Luis airport and the Pacific coast, and residents say the blockage will continue until the municipal administration and the water utility Empobando provide a reliable solution.

Spokesperson Lilian Cabrera and merchant association president Óscar Obando said the lack of potable water has forced hundreds of families to curtail daily activities, harmed household hygiene, and caused significant economic losses for restaurants, hotels and small stores. Residents also warned that the water shortage is lowering property values and deterring investment. The demonstrators have called for a direct meeting with mayor Amílcar Pantoja to discuss concrete measures.

The protest, described as indefinite, reflects growing public frustration over repeated service interruptions and poor water quality, with community members asserting that access to safe water is a fundamental right.