Nearly 1,500 trucks and members of the vegetable transporters association from the municipality of Jáuregui, announced the suspension of activities which started on Monday, February 24, as the national government hasn't answered their demands. As a result, nearly 25,000 tonnes of vegetables won't be distributed each week.
Representatives of the association, who made the announcement, said that they had gone to the authorities and requested: more safety on the roads, the immediate cessation of illegal economic charges at checkpoints, and basic inputs for the maintenance of their vehicles. Carriers from the municipality of Vargas joined the protest.
Regarding the illegal collection of money at the checkpoints throughout the entire nation, they said: "We are tired of it, even though we have all the papers to mobilize vegetables, officials make us download the products and, to avoid losing four or five hours, we end up paying them a sort of bribe, which is always greater than 500 bolivars ($ 79.37 USD) at each checkpoint. It's an unsustainable a situation."
They also stated that the country's shortage of basic input affects them strongly, as their trucks require constant maintenance. "It's nearly impossible to get lubricating oils, tires, batteries, anything that these trucks need. Some vehicles have deteriorated and we can't get the parts and supplies need to fix them," they said.
Source: lanacion.com.ve