Thousands join Colombian farming protests

Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of the Colombian capital, Bogota, on Thursday, intensifying demonstrations against the agricultural policies of President Juan Manuel Santos, which protesters say are driving them into bankruptcy.

Interior Minister Fernando Carillo lamented the turn of events overnight, saying the vandalism "had nothing to do with the farmers' movement."

There were reports of officials alleging that Marxist FARC rebels (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) - with whom the government has recently entered into peace talks - had infiltrated the mass demonstration to destabilize security. The agricultural groups did not comment on these allegations.