Colombia president, students reach accord after protests

BOGOTA – Colombian students and President Ivan Duque say they’ve reached an accord to boost education spending following months of protests.

Duque announced an agreement Friday to increase public higher education funding over the next four years by 4.5 trillion pesos, or about $1.4 billion.

The president said he was “extremely happy to give this good news to the country.”

Student leader Jose Cardenas praised what he called an “historic accord” and “a victory for education and for Colombia.”

Students have been on strike for two months and organizing weekly marches drawing thousands to the streets, interrupting life in the nation’s capital.

The protesters complained incremental budget increases were leaving universities in poor condition and deteriorating academic quality.

The marches also drew workers angry about a proposed tax increase