Cali is the cockpit of chaos as Colombia protests threaten to spiral out of control

The presence of armed civilians attacking protesters has added a worrying dimension to a wave of unrest that has claimed 47 lives

On a recent evening, Andres pulled on his gas mask and helmet and headed for the barricades at the entrance to his rundown neighbourhood in Cali, a city which has become the center of Colombia's anti-government protests.

But as he approached the roadblock of rocks, rubble and barbed wire, he saw a motorcycle speeding towards him. In an attempt to turn the vehicle back, another demonstrator shone a laser pen in the driver's eyes.