Ruptly
"The Departmental Federation of Drivers '1ro de Mayo' in La Paz has begun an indefinite strike since Wednesday, with demonstrations and vehicles being withdrawn from service in protest at fuel shortages and poor-quality gasoline and diesel fuel amid the ongoing crisis affecting the country. Footage shows transport workers marching through the streets, while others drive their vehicles. Some taxi drivers have signs reading 'Compensation for garbage gasoline' and 'No more of a useless government!' Passengers could also be seen waiting at public transportation stops amid the shortage of service vehicles. According to a statement from the Drivers' Federation, the fuel shortage is due to roadblocks set up by demonstrators in different parts of the country, demanding the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz. “We are being harmed because gasoline is not arriving due to the blockades that have taken place. We are already stopped at the gas stations, waiting to refuel and be able to work,” said Martin Ticona, leader of the shared 'trufi' taxi drivers. He warned that if the government fails to reach an agreement with the protesting transport sectors, the drivers 'will have to join the people and also demand the president’s resignation'. The strike is already having a direct economic impact on small businesses and families who depend on transportation and daily commuting. “The streets are empty, there are no customers, nobody is buying from us, we have already run out of the savings we had, and we owe money to the bank. Some of us, like myself, for example, are both father and mother, and we no longer know how to stretch things enough to at least bring something home to our children,” said a vendor. The transport mobilisation takes place alongside a day of protests by women, mothers, miners, and vendors who marched on Wednesday in La Paz to protest against fuel shortages, rising food prices, and the country's economic and political crisis. This event was held in the context of Mother's Day in Bolivia."
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