This is what the streets of Bogotá looked like on Tuesday night. There were blockades on the main roads of the capital of the republic. Photo: Private archive
Against all odds The National Government is willing to suspend the next two increases, announced for 2025, in the price of diesel, but they remain firm with the increase of 1,904 pesos that has been in effect since August 31 in the country.
This was proposed by the Minister of Transport, María Constanza García, in the meeting that different entities and ministries of the Government had, for more than 10 hours, with the leaders of the truckers’ strike for to find a way out of the blockades that have the country’s main cities and regions in suspense.
“We have proposed that further increases would be suspended until we give these definitions,” said Minister García.
This is the proposal that the Minister of Transport, María Constanza García, on behalf of the Government, made to the leaders of the truckers’ strike to freeze the price of diesel with the increase that has been in effect since August 31. pic.twitter.com/B8hjimganm
— Teleantioquia (@Teleantioquia) September 4, 2024
The Vice Minister of Finance, Diego Guevara, made a similar statement, clarifying that the National Government’s proposal, although it has a significant fiscal impact on the country’s finances, is willing to be implemented as a show of goodwill.
“We are only going to make this increase (the 1,904 pesos) the rest are subject to a constant and permanent dialogue,” he added.
The Deputy Minister of Finance, Diego Guevara, said that the National Government’s proposal, although it has a significant fiscal impact on the country’s finances, is willing to carry it out as a “show of good will.” pic.twitter.com/9WNIs2btbl
— Teleantioquia (@Teleantioquia) September 4, 2024
Transporters did not accept
The proposal, however, did not go down well with some representatives of the transport union who said, at the same meeting, that they were not going to assume the responsibility of making decisions for the other truck drivers who were demonstrating in the street, so it would have to be a concerted proposal.
And that is what they have What the transporters are looking for is that there is no increase in the price of fuel.that is, that the National Government reverses the decision and keep the prices that were in effect before August 31st since the new rate came into effect.
For now, that solution seems impossible because neither party wants to give in on the issue. The Government claims that maintaining the subsidy that transporters have had since January 1, 2020 is unsustainable for state finances; while truckers say that such increases would affect the economy of all Colombians.
They ask that there be no more blockades
The head of the Transport portfolio asked the truck drivers to continue at the negotiation table and, as they move forward, to allow the free mobility of citizens.
“The Government asks these transporters who have been present in the streets to allow passage, to avoid permanent blockades; to also guarantee the mobility rights of Colombians,” García requested.
On the other hand, the Ombudsman reminded the leaders of the truckers’ strike that, although they are within their legitimate right to protest, They cannot impede the movement of emergency vehicles such as ambulances and fire trucks, just as they must allow the movement of school routes and garbage trucks, a recommendation that the leaders did accept.
It is expected, then, that as the meetings progress, the next one scheduled for 9:00 am this Wednesday, the protests will continue, but with respect for free movement.
However, as has been seen so far, this request will be difficult to carry out, given that there are many points where truck drivers are present and where they themselves are the ones who make the decision to block the roads or allow mobility, which, as seen on Tuesday, generated chaos in the main cities and departments of the country.
2024-09-04 01:52:37
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