The national truckers’ strike continues this Wednesday, September 4, after the meeting held between the truckers’ union and the Government at the Casa de Nariño failed to reach an agreement.
News Colombia.
Since Monday, September 2, the country’s roads have been paralyzed by the truckers’ strike. Although there was a roundtable discussion on Tuesday, no agreement was reached. The truckers’ union insisted on the repeal of the decree on the Increase in (ACPM) and stated that they will maintain the blockades until they receive a concrete response from the government.
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Despite efforts to find a solution, the parties failed to reach a consensus that would allow an end to the protests and blockades across the country.
During the meeting, the Minister of Transport, María Constanza García, proposed freezing the increase in the price of diesel (ACPM) as a temporary measure while negotiations progress.
However, this proposal was rejected by the transporters, who remained firm in their demand to repeal the decree establishing the increase in prices, as an indispensable condition for resuming the talks.
Minister García also suggested limiting the increase in the price of diesel fuel to a single occasion while new roundtable discussions are held.
However, the transporters’ union did not accept this offer and reiterated the need to revoke the decree in order to continue negotiations.
Henry Cárdenas, president of Fedetranscarga, said: “We as a union are concerned because the costs do not allow us to continue working. If the freight generators cannot assume the extra cost, then we have to stop the vehicles.”
Demonstrations and blockades continue in several cities across the country, raising concerns in various sectors about the economic and social impact that could result from the extension of the strike.
What is the price of diesel fuel?
This increase in the price of fuel represents the first adjustment in the cost of diesel to cover the $6 billion deficit in the Fuel Price Stabilization Fund (FEPC).
Finance Minister Ricardo Bonilla said there would be no further changes this year, and an analysis will be made of when the other two pending adjustments will be made in 2025.
According to the Government, the increase is $1,904 per gallon of diesel and is applied from Saturday.Saturday, August 31 in the 13 main cities of the country.
The Minister of Transport, María Constanza García, after the meeting with the transporters where there was no agreement, reiterated that the increase in the price of diesel fuel remains unchanged.
Impact of the protests
According to General José Luis Ramírez, National Chief of Police and responsible for managing the cargo transporters’ strike, 81 public actions have been recorded throughout the country on Tuesday.
“Of this total, 29 are permanent blockades, 37 intermittent blockades, 14 rallies and one mobilization in 55 municipalities, in which approximately 2,300 people and 537 vehicles participated,” General Ramírez reported.
ACC STATEMENT:@petrogustavo DOES NOT GIVE GUARANTEES AND STIGMATIZES those who think differently and within the framework of the constitution and DEMAND SOLUTIONS
WE ARE NOT COUP PLOTTERS!@DefensoriaCol @UN_rights @USEmbassyBogota @EUROPEAN UNION @VaticanState @SwitzerlandColombia @France_Colombia pic.twitter.com/0iRHJdpzzc
— ACC Truck Drivers (official) (@ACC_camioneros) September 2, 2024
Henry Cárdenas, president of Fedetranscarga, announced that tomorrow at 9:00 am the dialogue will continue with the inter-union chamber and the Ministry of Transportation to find solutions to the truckers’ strike. #VoicesAndSounds pic.twitter.com/xwX8EFCPzP
— BluRadio Colombia (@BluRadioCo) September 4, 2024
