Food prices in Bogotá have risen by up to 60% since the truckers’ strike began

On the occasion of the truckers’ strike and the blockades generated by the protests of transporters in the capital, the Ombudsman of Bogotá made an urgent call to guarantee the rights of citizens to free movement, education, health, food security and a healthy environment.

The watchdog warns that Essential services such as food supplies, access to emergency services and medical appointments are being put at riskand the attendance of children and adolescents in classes.

You can see: Alert for food and medicine shortages in Bogotá and Cundinamarca

“We will constantly monitor the city’s market squares to monitor the availability of food and its prices, so that the city’s most vulnerable population is not affected”says the Ombudsman of Bogotá, Andrés Castro Franco.

The entity, in a first visit, verified the prices of food in the market squares of Las Ferias and 7 de Agosto and found, for example, that The value of fruit has increased by between 11% and 60% and that of vegetables by between 40% and 60%.

You can see: Truckers’ protests: Ministry of Health rejects blockades of ambulances and medical personnel

As for the education sector, the Ombudsman learned that in the town of Usme, only 5% of students attended classes today. In Rafael Uribe Uribe, 42% and in Ciudad Bolívar, Barrios Unidos Tunjuelito and San Cristóbal there were delays in the start of the day, since school routes had to take alternate routes.

At the access to emergency medical services, the CRUE reported, in the morning hours, the existence of ambulances held up in traffic due to the demonstrations.

Also read: Trucker unemployment: this is the average monthly salary of a transporter

Truckers’ Strike

Javier Alvarez/CEET

“While it is important to guarantee and respect the legitimate right to protest, this cannot put the fundamental rights of citizens at risk, which is why we urge the creation of humanitarian corridors for the passage of ambulances and vehicles transporting oxygen, among other essential services,” adds the District Ombudsman.

Finally, it is important to remember that, according to Law 1453 of 2011 (Citizen Security Law), the crime of obstructing public roads that affect public order is defined.

Paula Galeano Balaguera
Portfolio Journalist