Chile: Cargo trucker drivers to begin indefinite strike Nov. 21

Event

Cargo truck drivers affiliated with the Northern Force Transport Workers' Guild Confederation (Confederacion Gremial de Transportistas Fuerza del Norte) announced that they will begin an indefinite strike from Nov. 21. As part of the labor action, the group said it would prevent all cargo vehicles from traveling. Strikers are likely to use their vehicles to block highways.

Though the group said it would not interfere in the passage of cars, emergency vehicles, and passenger transport, any roadblocks are likely to impact all transport on the affected roads. Police are likely to deploy to any demonstrations, and clashes cannot be ruled out, especially if authorities attempt to forcibly disperse protesters and reopen roads.

Context

The labor group says that the strike is in response to continued attacks on trucks, which occur particularly frequently in La Araucania and Bio-Bio regions, where radical armed groups that claim to defend the indigenous Mapuche homeland often hijack and burn trucks. The group also said that the strike is partially a protest against increasing fuel prices.

Advice

Allow for additional transport time. Avoid all demonstrations as a precaution. If violence occurs, immediately leave the area and seek shelter in a non-governmental building. Heed the instructions of security personnel.