UN Urges Independent Probe as Colombia Unrest Death Toll Rises

Colombia's government resumed negotiations with demonstrators to end more than a month of protests Sunday, as the UN called for an independent investigation after at least 13 people died in clashes in the city of Cali.

President Ivan Duque's team and some of the demonstration representatives resumed talks in Bogota after nearly a week's pause.

But a resolution seemed far off, as the protesters denounced the Duque administration's "complicit silence" in the face of "excessive" use of force by law enforcement.

The government responded that an agreement could be reached once the blockades choking up the country's transport infrastructure are lifted.

In just over a month of unrest, 59 people have died across Colombia according to official data, with more than 2,300 civilians and uniformed personnel injured.

The NGO Human Rights Watch says it has "credible reports" of at least 63 deaths nationwide.

The crackdown by the armed forces on the anti-government protests has drawn international condemnation, and on Sunday UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet voiced "deep concern" over the ongoing violence.