Arequipa transport unions consider national strike over fuel costs and road conditions

Transport unions in Arequipa, Peru, are evaluating a regional or national strike to protest rising fuel prices and the deteriorating state of road infrastructure. Key groups, including the Central Regional de Empresas y Asociaciones de Taxis (CREAT) and the Heavy Cargo Guild, have expressed significant economic distress.

Taxi drivers report that gasoline prices exceeding 24 soles per gallon make their work unsustainable, with warnings that prices could reach 30 soles by year-end. Meanwhile, heavy cargo operators report losses between 30% and 40% due to increased operating costs and reduced trips. Drivers have criticized the government for applying fuel subsidies primarily in Lima, leaving other regions vulnerable.

A major point of contention is the Panamericana Sur highway, specifically the 300-kilometer stretch between Nazca and Camaná. Drivers report frequent accidents and landslides caused by rain and mudslides, requesting that the route be declared an emergency and that heavy machinery be permanently stationed for maintenance. A meeting with the Ministry of Transport and Communications is scheduled for October 28 to discuss these demands.