After a five-day road blockade in protest against the removal of COVID-era fuel subsidies, truckers in Colombia have reached a deal with President Gustavo Petro’s government to lift the protest.
The decision to end the blockade was made on Friday to address concerns raised by truckers unions over the impact of removing diesel fuel subsidies on their businesses. The blockades had caused disruptions in transport and raised fears of food and supply shortages in metropolitan areas.
The agreement, reached in the early hours of Friday, involves a gradual implementation of a slightly lower increase in fuel costs by the end of the year. Petro emphasized the necessity of phasing out subsidies to address budget deficits and increase funding for education and healthcare.
Despite initially taking a defiant stance, Petro’s government was under pressure to resolve the standoff as it prepares to present a tax reform plan that aims to raise government revenues by $3bn next year. The deal with the truckers marks a victory for both parties as roads were unblocked across the country, signaling an end to the protest.
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