Interdepartmental Transport Leaders Walk Out of Talks, Confirm 24-Hour National Strike

Leaders of Bolivia's interdepartmental bus and freight transport sector abandoned talks with government ministers held at YPFB facilities, saying the government came with no fare-adjustment proposals to offset Decree 5716's diesel-price hike. "No ha habido ningún diálogo, no han venido con propuestas" ("There has been no dialogue, they haven't come with proposals"), said Evert Chino, an interdepartmental transport leader. The sector confirmed a 24-hour nationwide stoppage for Monday, Sep 21, warning it could extend to 48 or 72 hours if the government did not respond, despite the state of exception's bar on blockades and strikes.