Chile truckers block highways over surging diesel prices
Diesel has risen 74% since March, industry groups say, and talks between the government and protest leaders broke up without agreement.
Truck and bus drivers blocked highways across Chile on Tuesday in protest at diesel prices that industry groups say have risen 74% since March, halting traffic on major routes and demanding government relief.
Hundreds of transport workers joined convoys that closed lanes on key roads from Tuesday morning, according to the BBC. Long queues formed on the highways.
The stoppage is organised by the Fuerza del Norte trade union, which the BBC said represents about 80% of Chile's lorry drivers, and by the No+TAG civic protest movement. The BBC reported that the action is over the cost of diesel, which it said has been driven up by the war in Iran.
Talks between government officials and protest leaders failed to reach a resolution on Tuesday. Another meeting is expected on Wednesday.
"There is no point of agreement with the government that could offer any perspective to find solutions for everyone," said Andrés Alarcón, a spokesman for No+TAG. "The strike continues."
Economy Minister Daniel Mas called for further dialogue while warning that the government would eventually reopen the roads. "At some point, we will have to clear the highways," he said, adding that the protests were affecting economic activity and exports. "We need to get the country moving again."
Bloomberg reported that the trucker protest threatens Chile's agricultural exports.
President José Antonio Kast's government has faced public discontent over fuel prices for months, the BBC reported.
Juan Cornejo, president of the Association of Intercity Bus Owners, which represents 14 mid-sized companies, told AFP that operators had reached their limit. "We've spent more than a month working with negative numbers," he said.
Claudio Elguezabal, a 47-year-old lorry driver who took part in a protest near the capital, Santiago, on Tuesday morning, said the work no longer paid. "Right now I'm not making any profit. Sometimes you even have to put in your own money to cover the client," AFP quoted him as saying.
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