Colombian Truckers Strike Over Pricing Regulations

VOA Breaking News
February 4, 2011 at 5:20 am

Authorities say 180,000 truckers started striking in Colombia Thursday to protest President Juan Manuel Santos' order to end some pricing regulations later this month.

The Association of Colombian Truckers says ending the longtime policy of setting minimum freight rates for each delivery could drive some independent and small trucking firms out of business.

The Colombian government says dropping the mandatory shipping costs will bring down overall debt and make the industry more competitive.

Financial analysts say a prolonged strike could affect coffee and oil exports.

Both industries depend on truckers to get their products to ports for shipment around world.