Transportation

72-Hour Deadline Set for Demands, Trucker Roadblocks Threaten to Resume

Share
RTP

During an emergency assembly of heavy trucker leaders this Saturday, a 72-hour ultimatum was issued for the government to address their demands. If unmet, roadblocks will be restarted on Thursday, June 27.

Demands Include Ministerial Resignation and Solutions to Sector Issues:

Héctor Mercado, President of the Bolivian Chamber of Heavy Truckers, announced the key decisions reached at the assembly. These include:

  • Ministerial Resignation: The group demands the resignation of Édgar Montaño, Minister of Public Works. This follows heavy criticism directed at Montaño for a Tik Tok in which he danced celebrating the temporary suspension of the road blockades last Sunday.
  • Addressing Sector Issues: The assembly continues to ask for concrete solutions to alleged abuses from Bolivian Internal Revenue Office, Customs, and the Direction for the Prevention of Vehicle Theft (Diprove).
  • Economic Solutions: The group additionally calls for measures to address the overall economic situation caused by the lack of dollars affecting the transport sector.

Previous Negotiations Fail to Reach Agreement: Mercado clarified that no agreements were reached during the recent meeting with President Arce. He stated that the president imposed conditions instead of offering concrete solutions. This prompted the renewed threat of roadblocks.

Nationwide Blockades and Public Stocking Up Advised by Truckers: Domingo Ramos, a La Paz-based heavy trucker leader, emphasized that the blockades aim to be more impactful this time, encompassing all highways and border points. He urged the public to stock up on essential supplies in anticipation of an indefinite strike if their demands remain unmet.

Support and Opposition from Other Sectors: The Santa Cruz taxi and radio-taxi unions have pledged solidarity with the heavy trucker sector, indicating their intention to join protests in the city. However, the Santa Cruz federated transport sector disagrees with the renewed roadblock threat. They advocate for honoring the 90-day timeframe established during the presidential meeting to allow technical committees to work on solutions.

Go Deeper

Featured Article, Transportation

Roadblocks Update: Potosí Farmers Plan New Roadblocks, La Paz-Copacabana Highway Unchanged, and Morales March Faces Resistance

Potosí Farmers Plan New Roadblocks, La Paz-Copacabana Highway Unchanged, and Morales March Faces Resistance

Transportation

Political Tensions Fuel Highway Disruptions as Roadblocks Surge in La Paz

The La Paz-Copacabana highway has been impacted by a surge in roadblocks, according to the latest updates from the ABC's Road Accessibility Map (07:38). The number of roadblocks has increased from two to four, causing significant disruptions to travel.

Transportation

Current Roadblocks: Disruptions on La Paz-Copacabana and Sorata Routes

The ABC Road Accessibility Map currently shows a roadblock near the Vilaque Bridge in Palcoco. This roadblock is expected to disrupt access to Tuni Condoriri Park (Pico Austria) and Copacabana.

Transportation

La Paz Braces for Widespread Protests: What You Need to Know

A wave of protests is set to sweep across La Paz this week, with various sectors demanding different reforms and changes. A faction of the Ponchos Rojos, a powerful peasant union, will lead the charge with over 20 roadblocks planned on major routes connecting La Paz and El Alto to other parts of the country. Health workers, university teachers, trade unions and heavy transport workers will also join the demonstrations.

A wave of protests is set to sweep across La Paz this week, with various sectors demanding different reforms and changes. A faction of the Ponchos Rojos, a powerful peasant union, will lead the charge with over 20 roadblocks planned on major routes connecting La Paz and El Alto to other parts of the country. Health workers, university teachers, trade unions and heavy transport workers will also join the demonstrations.

Transportation

Roadblock on Santa Cruz-Cochabamba Highway Announced for this Wednesday

A roadblock is set to take place on the Santa Cruz-Cochabamba highway starting this Wednesday, at the Yapacaní bridge. The measure is in response to the regional government's failure to meet commitments to the Faja Norte area.

Transportation

At Least 14 Dead in Narvaez Bus Accident on Tarija-Santa Cruz Highway

A devastating bus accident struck Friday night on the Tarija-Santa Cruz highway near Abra del Cóndor, the highest point of Ruta Nacional 11 connecting Tarija with the Chaco. A Narvaez company bus, heading to Entre Ríos, collided with a cliff, leaving over 10 dead and several others injured, according to preliminary reports.

Featured Article, Transportation

Cochabamba Markets Shut Down as Trade Unions Demand Dollars and Diesel; Santa Cruz Holds Joint Assembly

A large-scale protest is set to sweep through Cochabamba this Monday, following an announcement by trade unions declaring that they will take the streets ongoing dollar shortage and diesel scarcity.

Transportation

Santa Cruz – Beni Highway Roadblock Over Biotechnology Reaches Day Ten

This Wednesday marks the tenth day of a roadblock in San Julián as residents intensify their demand for government approval of transgenic seeds.

Transportation

Heavy Truckers Temporarily Suspend Roadblocks

The heavy transport sector has agreed to a temporary suspension of roadblocks until August 6th following a meeting with the National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH). The decision comes after days of protests over fuel shortages and other demands. 

Transportation

Heavy Truckers Splinter from Bolivian Drivers’ Federation, Continue with Roadblocks Despite Agreement

Despite reaching an agreement with the Confederación de Choferes de Bolivia, heavy trucker leaders announced on Radio Fides that they will continue their strike. They have reiterated their ultimatum for early elections within 72 hours from Wednesday if their demands for fuel supplies and the removal of certain state officials are not addressed.