2024-08-22 16:44:33
Tensions in Colombia’s transport sector increased after the Minister of Finance and Public Credit, Ricardo Bonilla, confirmed an increase in the price of diesel, known as ACPM.
According to the announcement, the price of fuel will experience a total increase of $6,000, distributed in three increments of $2,000 each. The first will be applied at the end of 2024, followed by two additional adjustments during 2025..
This decision, taken unilaterally by the Government, has generated strong rejection among transport unions, who from the beginning have opposed the revision of the price of diesel fuel, frozen since 2020. The lack of consensus in the negotiations led the government to proceed with the measure, which has provoked a strong response from the sector.
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Jorge Ignacio García González, president of the Colombian Confederation of Transporters, expressed the union’s disagreement with what they consider a breach by the Government. “We are outraged by the statement of the Minister of Finance, Ricardo Bonilla, because he also broke his word. After a meeting last week with representatives of the transport union, he promised to speak with President Gustavo Petro and inform us of the decision, but that did not happen,” García said in an interview with La Fm.
The union leader went further, warning of the serious economic consequences that lie ahead if transporters choose to immobilize their vehicles in response to the increase in the price of diesel.The minister went further and threatened that fuel prices would rise with us (the transporters) or without us, and that is what they have decided. They have set a raise of $3,000 this semester and another $3,000 in the first semester of next year,” said García, making it clear that the option of a national strike is on the table.
For his part, Minister Bonilla justified the measure by arguing that it is a necessary step to close the $6,000 gap in the price of diesel and begin to reduce the ACPM deficit in the Fuel Price Stabilization Fund (FEPC). “We are facing a gap of $6,000 in the price of diesel. Despite attempts to negotiate with the transport unions, we have not reached a consensus. This adjustment is necessary to begin to close the deficit of diesel fuel,” said the minister.
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