2024-09-04 00:48:32
President Gustavo Petro justified the recent increase in the price of diesel, arguing that it is a necessary measure to recover funds that will be allocated to social programs.
Through his X account, Petro assured that “the rise in diesel prices is fair” and that the country will not allow itself to be blocked by the protests that have arisen in response to this decision.
Since August 30, truck drivers have organized demonstrations on the main access and exit routes to Bogotá and other areas of the country, creating traffic chaos that has not been seen in the capital for years. These protests, which have continued until September 3, are a reaction to the increase in the price of diesel, known in Colombia as ACPM, which has generated a wave of discontent among transporters.
In his message, President Petro explained that the rise in diesel prices responds to the need to recover the resources from a subsidy that, according to him, should not have been granted and that has contributed significantly to the country’s public debt.Providing food to hungry people and education to our children and youth forces us to equalize diesel prices“The president said, while indicating that the Government has already begun to take measures to confront what he described as a “lock out” or business strike.
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The Ministry of Transport, for its part, has called for dialogue, inviting transporters to avoid blocking road corridors and guarantee the mobility of citizens. “We met with police sub-directorates to analyze critical points with blockades due to the strike, reiterating the invitation to dialogue,” the entity said.
Andrés Camargo, Minister of Mines, also joined the call, highlighting the importance of the increase in diesel fuel and reaffirming the Government’s commitment to keep the channels of dialogue open.We are present in all critical areas of Colombia to address the situation,” he stressed.
The Government is thus seeking to mitigate tensions and find a consensual solution that will allow progress to be made in implementing the necessary measures without affecting the country’s economy or the well-being of its citizens.
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