Expat Exchange
Free MembershipSign In

Colombia Expat Forum

Truckers conflict - police being killed?

New Topic Newest First
CAtoMDE
  7/21/2016 14:07 EST

I just heard from a good friend in Medellin that police were murdered just outside of Medellin (ie. San Pedro area).

Does anyone have any more information. Looks like the truckers strike is heading to the boiling point.

dliss62
  7/21/2016 16:12 EST

Maybe I'm off base here, but it appears that these truckers are not wealthy people and very few of them own the trucks they drive.

They are pissed at President Santos about the increases in tolls, gas and fees they have to pay that leaves them little at the end of the day.

That said, Santos recently raised the Colombian congress' salary to "40 salarios minimos".

"Con el decreto presidencial 1056 de 2016, Juan Manuel Santos, junto al Ministro de Hacienda Mauricio Cárdenas aprobó un aumento salarial del 7.77% a los congresistas colombianos. Con la decisión, ahora los legisladores ganaran COP$27’929.064 (USD$9.264,0344). El aumento es el que está previsto anualmente por la ley."

Are you F%@*!n' kidding me?! Colombian congressmen are the highest paid in Latin America and this knucklehead want to screw the truck drivers who do an important job, unlike those corrupt ass*&%#S! Appears that Santos is paying back re-election favors.

Colombian Visa ServicesColombian Visa Services
Connect

We have over 10 years of experience helping foreigners obtain visas, invest, and do business in Colombia. Take the stress out of immigrating to Colombia by working with an experienced, bilingual immigration attorney.

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Colombian Visa ServicesColombian Visa Services

We have over 10 years of experience helping foreigners obtain visas, invest, and do business in Colombia. Take the stress out of immigrating to Colombia by working with an experienced, bilingual immigration attorney.
Connect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

meincolombia
  7/21/2016 18:25 EST

The truckers have gone on strike 13 times in 15 years. Almost every year they strike. Last time, Santos at first said there was no strike, then he said the military would restore order to the highways, then, he finally came to the table and agreed to some. the trucker´s demands to end the strike.
Then, Santos reneged on all promises and did not do anything to help the truckers. That´s one of the reasons they are striking this time.
Another thing is that Santos has sold another 50,000 licenses to large companies who have trucks lined up ready to work. These 50,000 new trucks will kill the little guys. They have no alternative but to strike.
Santos did the same thing to the Farmers, the Teachers, the Medical workers, the Miners and the Coffee Growers during their various strikes over the past 6 years.
He agreed to terms to settle strikes, then never paid under the conditions he agreed. Yet, as you pointed out, he gave the freaking congress a huge raise.
Now Congress wants to vote with itself to cut the rate of pay in half, and only pay for the time the congressmen actually show. The problem is, that less than half of Congressmen ever show up so the debate and the vote cannot take place.
Its a damn shame Uribe is limited to two terms. He would solve these problems very quickly if he were still in office.

meincolombia
  7/22/2016 09:02 EST

I can´t locate it just now, but I recently read a list of things the FARC fighters will receive and I recall it was about 1,800,000 per month for a limited time while they search for new employment. It´s not open ended.
However, that begs the question, about 50% of Colombia´s families survive on about 600,000 per month, and families often include children, parents, grandparents and sometimes more.
A retired couple receives about 180,000 in assistance and most do not have pensions.
Compare that to the 25,000,000 per month that each congress-person receives.

julianat
  7/22/2016 09:46 EST

Colombiareports.com has an article entitled "Why Colombia's Truckers Are Angry". It appears that the Santos' administration has allowed MULTINATIONAL trucking companies to flood Colombia with trucks and trucking licenses all under the umbrella of the free trade agreement with the US. According to the truckers it is part of the "monopolization of the economy". Why the public is not aware of the true reasons for the strike, being told only to blame the nasty truckers who won't bring you your food, is due to the "monopolization of the press" in Colombia. It's an old story.

soystar1
  7/22/2016 10:55 EST

And yet, this strike affects the average consumer. Imagine trying to get buy basic staples on the minimum wage here and now because of the trucker's strike they can't even afford to buy papas.

Albeit unrelated consequences follow a harsh tunnel. Strikes such as these that make life more difficult towards a family that needs to eat is very sad indeed.

Nonetheless, I am neutral in this ongoing strike. I, however, do not nor l will ever condone violence against others.

Crises like these are moments when leaders are born and diplomacy is warranted to solve such issues as peace talks, food shortages, economic upheavals and so forth.

This country as others are not immune to internal conflict but progression and dialogue are paramount for the Colombian people.

Sometimes the "road not taken" is indeed a solemn one for the president.

Colombian Visa ServicesColombian Visa Services
Connect

We have over 10 years of experience helping foreigners obtain visas, invest, and do business in Colombia. Take the stress out of immigrating to Colombia by working with an experienced, bilingual immigration attorney.

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Colombian Visa ServicesColombian Visa Services

We have over 10 years of experience helping foreigners obtain visas, invest, and do business in Colombia. Take the stress out of immigrating to Colombia by working with an experienced, bilingual immigration attorney.
Connect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

meincolombia
  7/22/2016 15:43 EST

These strikes in Colombia are similar to the strikes in the US and in Europe back in the day.
If it hadn´t been for strikes in the US and Europe we would probably not have nearly as good a quality of life in US-Europe as we have now. Likewise, the Colombian people will never gain ground if they continually let the Elite 1% run things the way they always have, unabated. Just saying.

geoffbob
  7/22/2016 22:34 EST

I have only been in Colombia for 5 months. I wish I could understand how the strike is affecting the general public. As for me I have found everything I need or want readily available and that makes the situation even harder to grasp.

meincolombia
  7/22/2016 22:45 EST

The only impediment to my life so far was last week when a FedEx package from US was held up for four days in Bogota. Other than that I have noticed the prices are going up on a lot of grocery items. Whether that is because of the Free Trade Agreement, or the exchange rate, or the truckers strike is hard to tell. Its still early in the terms of the Free Trade Agreement so there are still heavy import duties on most American products, and the exchange rate, and the 16% sales tax, makes a lot of American products very expensive. but I´m also seeing Colombian products going up, and I am noticing some store shelves are not fully stocked like they usually are.
But, compared to Venezuela we are living in a cornucopia here.

guestuser
  7/23/2016 00:00 EST

Strike appears to have been settled today.

Anh143
  7/23/2016 01:59 EST

thats great news. I was in Tunja the day it started. there was very little gas but things were peaceful. the military was keeping their eyes on things. We were told to leave the city because they were worried about a blockade.

Colombian Visa ServicesColombian Visa Services
Connect

We have over 10 years of experience helping foreigners obtain visas, invest, and do business in Colombia. Take the stress out of immigrating to Colombia by working with an experienced, bilingual immigration attorney.

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Colombian Visa ServicesColombian Visa Services

We have over 10 years of experience helping foreigners obtain visas, invest, and do business in Colombia. Take the stress out of immigrating to Colombia by working with an experienced, bilingual immigration attorney.
Connect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

SkyMan
  7/23/2016 16:15 EST

I was sure that the deal was not free, as they do nothing for free. It takes
a lot of Pesos to equip an army.

dliss62
  7/25/2016 15:09 EST

The fact that Colombia's wealth, especially the land has been for ever controlled by a tiny minority is a fundamental reason why Colombia has been living in so much violence.

Colombia's upper crust is responsible for the birth of the FARC/ELN and as long as there is widespread poverty this conflict is not going away.

The one positive thing is that in today's technological society, corruption, unfairness and manipulation are more readily exposed.

Colombian Visa Services
Colombian Visa Services

Take the stress out of immigrating to Colombia by working with an experienced, bilingual immigration attorney.
Learn More

Colombian Visa ServicesColombian Visa Services

Take the stress out of immigrating to Colombia by working with an experienced, bilingual immigration attorney.
Learn More

Living in Colombia GuideLiving in Colombia Guide

Expats in Colombia discuss the pros and cons of living in Colombia. From the Colombian people to driving to taxes and more. As challenging as it can be, expats in Colombia clearly find that there is a lot to love about a country that is a surprising expat hot spot.

Colombia Forum Colombia Forum
Join our Colombia forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Colombia.

Contribute to Colombia Network Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Colombia.

Best Places to Live in Colombia Best Places to Live in Colombia

If you're considering a move to Colombia, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Colombia in 2023.

Healthcare in ColombiaHealthcare in Colombia

Our guide to healthcare in Colombia covers public and private healthcare in Colombia, hospitals, vaccinations, prescription medications and more.

Cost of Living in ColombiaCost of Living in Colombia

Expats offer insight into the cost of living in Colombia.

Moving to ColombiaMoving to Colombia Guide

With its bustling cities, beautiful beaches and friendly Colombians, Colombia is an increasingly popular destination for expats of all ages. Expats in Colombia offer insightful tips for those moving to Colombia.

Real Estate in ColombiaReal Estate in Colombia

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Colombia.

Pros Cons of Living in ColombiaPros & Cons of Living in Colombia

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Colombia.

Retiring in ColombiaRetiring in Colombia

Advice for people retiring in Colombia.

10 Tips for Living in Colombia10 Tips for Living in Colombia

If you've recently arrived in Colombia, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Colombia.

Colombian Visa Services
Colombian Visa Services

Take the stress out of immigrating to Colombia by working with an experienced, bilingual immigration attorney.
Learn More

Colombian Visa ServicesColombian Visa Services

Take the stress out of immigrating to Colombia by working with an experienced, bilingual immigration attorney.
Learn More

Contribute to Colombia Network Contribute
Help others in Colombia by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Colombia.

William Russell
William Russell

Copyright 1997-2024 Burlingame Interactive, Inc.

Privacy Policy Legal