Colombian Truckers Block Highways, Slam Fuel Price Hikes

Thousands of Colombians were forced to walk to work this week as truckers in major cities blocked highways to protest a recent increase in the price of diesel fuel, Manuel Rueda reported for the Associated Press (AP).

Truckers' unions have said that the government’s plan to eliminate diesel fuel subsidies would push their businesses to the brink of bankruptcy. I  Photo: Mobility Secretary Bogota

Truckers' unions have said that the government’s plan to eliminate diesel fuel subsidies would push their businesses to the brink of bankruptcy, while the administration of left-wing President Gustavo Petro argues it must phase out subsidies to reduce a growing budget deficit and direct more funds toward education and health.

On Saturday, the government raised the price of diesel fuel to around $2.90 per gallon, an increase of 50 cents, following numerous meetings with truckers' unions.

In response, the unions have been holding protests around the country, which intensified on Tuesday with roadblocks in the cities of Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali, reducing the amount of food arriving at wholesale markets.