"Transport workers in Bolivia have launched a nationwide strike to demand the complete repeal of Supreme Decree 5503, also known as the 'gasolinazo', a measure that abolishes fuel subsidies. The protesters argue that this measure opens the door for the transfer of strategic resources to the private sector without proper legislative oversight. Footage filmed on Friday shows hundreds of passengers walking through the streets of La Paz, looking for transport due to roadblocks set up by drivers who are dissatisfied with the passing of the new law. Protesters gathered at several strategic locations, including El Alto and the centre of La Paz, expressing their dissatisfaction with the unexpected approval of the law, which they argued ignored previous demands from trade unions. "We had requested previous meetings to coordinate this whole situation, which the government ignored, and overnight they sent us this Law 5503, which has completely affected the pockets of grassroots workers," said driver Rene Acarapi. "That is why there is a blockade; we want this law to be repealed, and if not, then to address the cost of fares," he added. Drivers also complain that these government measures have only made inputs more expensive. "Diesel, petrol, the subsidy, and fuel prices have risen a lot, a lot. And with the crisis we are going through, it is a blow for us [the drivers], a devastating blow for us," said Jhonny Aquino, another driver. Supreme Decree 5503 reportedly implies increases of up to 86 per cent in petrol and 162 per cent in diesel compared with prices subsidised for more than two decades, a measure that transport workers link to fare hikes, currently ranging between 4.50 and 5.50 bolivianos, and which has triggered rejection from both authorities and the public."