Since Colombian truckers began a national strike three weeks ago, 22 protesters have been arrested, the government said on Monday.
Truckers began their “national crusade for truckers’ dignity” on February 23 after talks with the government over adjusted freight rates and improved retirement conditions failed.
Colombia truckers on strike to demand lower freight rates, better retirement conditions
According to Transportation Minister Natalia Abello, the protests have been mainly within the limits of the law with the exception of incidents that led to the arrests.
The arrested truckers are being prosecuted for illegal actions such as blocking the roads, breaking windows of other trucks and threatening drivers who did not join the strike.
Abello announced that talks between the striking truckers and the government would be resumed on Monday.
She stated that her intention for the meeting will be to reach a concrete agreement that permits and respects the right to hold strike activities; however, she maintained that reducing the costs of tolls cannot be accepted at this time.
With approximately 40% of trucks out of commission, food supply centers in Bogota and Medellin have said that wholesale food prices have begun going up and that in some cases urban food centers were running out of products.
Colombia trucker strike causing rising food prices and food shortages
