Bush arrives in Brazil to protests

March 8, 2007

Bogata, Columbia - Several hundred masked demonstrators fought running battles Thursday with riot police on the campus of this capital city's largest public university to protest the planned visit of U.S. President Bush on Sunday.

Several hundred masked demonstrators fought running battles Thursday with riot police on the campus of this capital city's largest public university to protest the planned visit of U.S. President Bush on Sunday.

The demonstrators threw rocks and homemade explosives and launched fireworks through PVC tubes.

Police responded by firing water cannon and tear gas at the demonstrators, who kept up their efforts for three and a half hours.

Student leaders of the protest said they oppose Bush's visit because they oppose what they see as U.S. meddling in Colombia's internal affairs and oppose U.S. funding for the anti-drug and counter-insurgency efforts in Colombia.

They also oppose Washington's efforts to push through free-trade deals.