Trucker strike in Colombia. Photo from Pixabay / Public domain
The truck-driver and cargo-transporter unions in Colombia have been on strike since the first week of June 2016, delivering a significant blow to the national economy. Conservative estimates say the work stoppage has cost Colombia roughly 1.3 billion [1] Colombian pesos (approximately 444 million US dollars*). All this follows a similar strike by truckers just five years ago, in 2011 [2].
The strike is the result of several unresolved issues [3]. Unions are demanding that the government take the following steps:
- Solve the excess numbers of truckers
- Review the decline in cargo demand
- Update the industry's costs
- Stabilize the bidding war
Although there have already been negotiations between industry executives and government representatives, they've yet to reach a mutually agreeable solution [4]. Meanwhile, cities like Medellin are experiencing shortages [5] of basic products. Negotiations have broken down repeatedly. On July 13, officials and union representatives began their latest effort to resume talks.
Colombia's army has been ordered to guard the transport companies that aren’t on strike:
.@COL_EJERCITO [6] acompañó hoy caravana por vía La Unión-El Carmen. #ParoCamionero [7] pic.twitter.com/SxncDIvdv8 [8]
— MiOriente (@MiOriente) July 2, 2016 [9]
.@COL_EJERCITO [6] [The Colombian Army] escorted a caravan through La Union-El Carmen [a Colombian city]. Trucker Strike pic.twitter.com/SxncDIvdv8 [8]
The protesting truckers, meanwhile, complain about police harassment:
#ParoCamionero [7] ESMAD en varias regiones los agrede Si no cesa persecución no se sientan al diálogo @MinTransporteCo [10] pic.twitter.com/vR1H0rKgfa [11]
— Alirio Uribe Muñoz (@AlirioUribeMuoz) July 2, 2016 [12]
#ParoCamionero [7] ESMAD [the Colombian National Police] is attacking them in various regions. If the persecution doesn’t stop, they won’t be open to a discussion @MinTransporteCo [10] pic.twitter.com/vR1H0rKgfa [11]
Roadblocks throughout the country has been a source of friction, leading to a convergence of traffic and protests.
En Bogota a las 4:40 pm. #ParoCamionero [7], EL PARO CRECE. @atccomunicacion [13] @JorgeERojasG [14] @ACCnoti [15] pic.twitter.com/vlp8rpgAJG [16]
— CCT Colombia (@CCTPresidente) July 11, 2016 [17]
In Bogota at 4:40 pm #ParoCamionero [7] [TruckerStrike], THE STRIKE IS GROWING. @atccomunicacion [13] @JorgeERojasG [14] @ACCnoti [15] pic.twitter.com/vlp8rpgAJG [16]
There have also been reports that some protesters have lashed out at others not involved in the strike.
#LoMásVistoDeLaSemana [18] Los actos de vandalismo durante el #ParoCamionero [7] pic.twitter.com/mJMjOg7NGQ [19]
— TWlTTEROS CALI (@TwiterosCali) July 3, 2016 [20]
#LoMásVistoDeLaSemana [18] [TheMostViewedThisWeek] Acts of vandalism during the Trucker Strike pic.twitter.com/mJMjOg7NGQ [19]
As the situation's complexity grows, drivers have also been forced to discard much of their perishable cargo, facing the impossibility of completing their deliveries.
En La Ceja botan los alimentos que no pueden transportar por el paro. Imágenes que duelen #TANoticias [21] @Teleantioquia [22] pic.twitter.com/w62Iqx2KPR [23]
— CarmenHerrera (@herrerak11) July 11, 2016 [24]
In La Ceja, they are throwing out food that they can’t ship due to the strike. Images that hurt pic.twitter.com/w62Iqx2KPR [23]
In the midst of the predicament, Twitter user Juan David Escobar reflected [25] on the little responsibility that seems to fall on government officials:
En un país serio, y sin Unidad Nacional, un #ParoCamionero [7] de 35 días, tumba ministros. Pero aquí todos enmermelados se quedan callados.
— Juan David Escobar (@ElReticente) July 12, 2016 [26]
In an opposing country without national unity, a 35-day #ParoCamionero [7] [TruckerStrike] is demolishing politicians. But here all of the corrupt government officials remain silent.
To generate publicity for the campaign, Twitter users have been using the hashtag #ParoCamioneroSiExiste [27] (TruckerStrikeDoesExist):
Hoy 8:30PM HT #ParoCamioneroSiExiste [28] @cruzadcamionera [29] @atccomunicacion [13] @ajpcc1 [30] @asociacionant [31] @CCTPresidente [32] pic.twitter.com/BsLFpLvkqz [33]
— Ing. César Pachón A. (@CesarPachonAgro) July 7, 2016 [34]
Today at 8:30 p.m., HT Trucker Strike Does Exist pic.twitter.com/BsLFpLvkqz [33]
Netizens also took the opportunity to express their opinions on the matter:
#paroCamionerosiexiste [35] los camioneros se suman a un año de paro y confrontación al modelo y sus políticas represivas.viva el paro camionero
— Jimmy Moreno (@Jminguero) July 7, 2016 [36]
Trucker Strike Does Exist. The truckers join in on a year of striking and confrontation with the system and its repressive politics. Long live the trucker strike.
No vendieron empresas nacionales para inversión en infraestructura vial? Porqué aumentar peajes e impuestos entonces? #ParoCamioneroSiExiste [28]
— Just Breathe :) (@Angiesmile92) July 7, 2016 [37]
Didn’t they sell national businesses to invest in road infrastructure? Why raise the tolls and taxes then? Trucker Strike Does Exist
Many are beginning to fear, however, that the protest movement is at risk of being hijacked by outsiders.
El #ParoCamioneroSiExiste [28] este paro no es de Uribe ni del Centro Democrático, estos han intentado hacerlo de ellos, robar protagonismo.
— Juan Camilo Caicedo (@JUANCAELBROKY) July 7, 2016 [38]
The Trucker Strike Does Exist isn’t from [Senator Alvaro] Uribe nor the Democratic Center, they’ve tried to make it theirs and steal the show.
#ParoCamioneroSiExiste [28]pic.twitter.com/XfZ9jIpYWU [39]
— Lika (@Lika51223103) July 7, 2016 [40]
Trucker Strike Does Exist pic.twitter.com/XfZ9jIpYWU [39]
@JuanManSantos [41] Ya que su PRIORIDAD es la #NarcoFarcSaPaz [42]
AHÍ LE HABLAN… #ParoCamioneroSiExiste [28]#LosBuenosSomosMas [43]pic.twitter.com/U3Y2VYwHla [44]— Jose Fdo Sanin M (@JoseFdoSanin) July 9, 2016 [45]
@JuanManSantos [41] Since your priority is the Revolutionary Armed Forces Of Colombia Narco-Terrorism South American Peace. HERE'S A MESSAGE TO YOU… Trucker Strike Does Exist. Us, The Good Ones Are More. pic.twitter.com/U3Y2VYwHla [44]
Ese lenguaje en el #ParoCamionero [7] quiere decir que un expresidente, hoy senador, ya le metió la mano… Negra. pic.twitter.com/q0ecEvNYef [46]
— Jose Iglesias B. (@joseiglesiasb) July 12, 2016 [47]
[In the image: “I'd swap a Ford Mod 60 for a gun so that Mr. FARC Santos [Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos] will give me better guarantees.”]
That language at the Trucker Strike implies that an ex-president, today a senator, already has his hands dirty in the corruption. pic.twitter.com/q0ecEvNYef [46]
Due to the lack of an agreement and the likelihood that the protest will radicalize, the government has ordered the militarization [48] of all roadways. Today, the situation remains tense, with a companion strike in the mining industry brewing that will only aggravate the current tensions.