Brazilian truckers strike enters its 7th day

[Judi Lynn]

Updated 1:43 pm, Sunday, May 27, 2018

SAO PAULO (AP) — A strike by Brazilian truckers that has caused shortages at gas stations and supermarkets across Latin America's biggest country entered a seventh day Sunday with no immediate solution in sight.

Anger over rising diesel prices led truckers to begin striking last week and they've vowed to continue striking until the government commits itself to lowering those prices. The cost of diesel oil has gone up in recent months as world oil prices have risen and the Brazilian real has weakened against the U.S. dollar.

Truck owners also want some tolls reduced.

Police have cleared 132 of the 529 blockades truckers erected across the country, allowing trucks with emergency fuel supplies to reach army facilities and police stations.

More:
https://www.chron.com/news/world/article/Brazilian-truckers-strike-enters-its-7th-day-12947412.php#photo-15625374

[Judi Lynn]

1. From Friday: Brazilian president sends in army as truck protest paralyzes country

São Paulo, the biggest city in South America, in state of emergency over fuel shortages while markets run out of food

Dom Phillips and Sam Cowie in São Paulo
Fri 25 May 2018 16.17 EDT

Brazil’s conservative president Michel Temer has ordered the army and federal police to clear highways blockaded by striking truck drivers after a protest over soaring fuel prices entered its fifth day.

The blockades have paralysed much of the country’s economy and prompted São Paulo, the biggest city in South America, to declare a state of emergency over fuel shortages.

“I have actioned the federal security forces to unblock highways and I am asking governors to do the same,” Temer said in a televised address on Friday. “We will not let the population do without its primary needs.”

The protests began over fuel prices but have been further stoked by widespread anger over repeated graft scandals involving prominent politicians – including Temer himself.

More:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/25/brazil-protests-latest-temer-clears-trucks-highways-army