Colombian farmers yesterday mounted a "day of protest" against the government, which they claim has failed to deliver on its promises of tackling debt by introducing subsidies, improving access to loans and lowering input costs. The government promises were made last year after weeks of concerted protests.

Last summer's protests were led by Colombian farmers who said the government's free trade agreements with the EU and United States would lead them to go bankrupt. Small-scale farmers claim their livelihood has been jeopardised by the government's actions.

The farmers have been supported by students demonstrating in more urban areas, including the capital Bogota. According to reports, students clashed with the police, who used tear gas against them.

The protests on Monday affected the country's main potato, rice and coffee producing areas. Police and the military were deployed by the government to prevent protesters from erecting roadblocks. Government officials claim that the promised measures are being introduced, but that some of the changes will only have noticeable impacts in the longer-term, as a result of an increased budget for the agriculture ministry to accommodate changes made in August.

The demonstrations in Colombia could prove dangerous for incumbent president Juan Manuel Santos, who is standing for re-election next month.

There is a long history of political unrest in Colombia, which is seen to be the most dangerous country in the world for trade unionists. Thousands of labour leaders have been assassinated in the country since the mid-1980s, mostly by right-wing paramilitaries or the Colombian army. The FARC, Colombia's main left-wing militia, which has stood against the government for several decades, said it supported the farmers' struggle.