LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — The streets of Bolivia’s largest cities, La Paz and Santa Cruz, were brought to a standstill on Friday as public transportation workers went on strike against a 100% fuel price increase ordered by the new government in the south american Country
Food and transportation prices soared, and the workers have demanded that officials revoke the fuel increase.
In La Paz, protesters blocked street corners, while in other cities, public transportation was shut down, long lines formed and residents joined the protests with marches.
Protests could spread nationwide in the coming days, if the government doesn’t restore subsidies for gasoline and diesel, said Edson Valdez, a leader of the transportation union.
“The government has given the people the worst Christmas gift,” he said.
“Not only have transportation fares doubled, food prices are through the roof, they’ve risen again,” said Natalia Rodríguez, a homemaker.
People crowded into markets to stock up before prices climb further.
“The decree will not be touched,” Presidency Minister José Luis Lupo said. “It is not negotiable.
Bolivia has imported half of its gasoline and nearly all of its diesel for domestic use and sold it at half price, draining its foreign currency reserves. Fuel shortages have severely affected food production and pushed food prices higher.
The president’s latest measures — which also include a 20% wage increase and the preservation of social bonuses for poor sectors — have received backing from business leaders and the U.S. government.
A delegation of U.S. business leaders met with Paz on Thursday to learn about the government’s plans for investors, while the Legislative Assembly approved an initial $550 million loan from the Andean Development Corp., known by its Spanish acronym CAF, aimed at stabilizing the economy and paying down debt.
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