Several rallies and marches were reported on Wednesday in the Colombian capital, where demonstrators waving slogans, flags and balloons walked to the sound of drums to the central Bolivar Square.

Similar protests took place in about 20 other cities, according to broadcaster Caracol.

The rallies had been called by trade unions and other groups to preserve the momentum of a protest movement launched late last year, which was interrupted by the pandemic.

New protests of several days then erupted in September after two police officers allegedly killed a man accused of violating coronavirus restrictions.

Violence broke out both during the protests last year and in September, claiming about 15 lives.

But Wednesday's marches were proceeding peacefully, television reports said.

Demonstrators were demanding an end to the killings of civil society leaders, which have increased since the government signed a peace deal with the guerilla group FARC in 2016.

The watchdog Indepaz says about 1000 such leaders have been killed since then and 270 other people have been assassinated in 68 massacres - defined as killings of at least three people - this year alone.

The government attributes the violence to armed groups that remained active after most FARC fighters were demobilised.

President Ivan Duque on Wednesday announced the capture of Richar Arley Diaz Garay, alias Condor, the leader of Los Pelusos drug-trafficking former guerilla group, who has been linked to killings of civil society leaders.

Demonstrators were also demanding measures to help small companies and students and to alleviate poverty amid the pandemic in the Andean country, which has confirmed more than 970,000 coronavirus infections and more than 29,000 deaths.

The protesters were joined by thousands of indigenous people, who had travelled four days to the capital to request a meeting with Duque. The president has not accepted the invitation.

Australian Associated Press