This May Look Like A Dystopian Hollywood Movie But It's Actually The Streets Of Colombia At War With The Government

Projectiles fire out of an armored car and shoot down a Bogotá highway like fireworks, landing among a group of protesters as they run in the opposite direction. A video, verified and shared by Human Rights Watch, shows what the rights group says is the use of “indiscriminate and dangerous” weapons on civilians by Colombian police.

The incident is the latest in a series of escalating clashes this week between the country’s militarized security forces and tens of thousands of anti-government protesters. Civil society groups say at least 37 have died and hundreds have been injured or arbitrarily arrested.

The U.N. and E.U. have both denounced the excessive use of force by police in several cities. A State Department spokesperson said the U.S. is urging “the utmost restraint by public forces to prevent additional loss of life,” while also condemning “violence and vandalism” by protesters.