HONDURAS: Transport strike paralyses Honduras capital, as workers clash with police

Record ID: 339304

  • Title: HONDURAS: Transport strike paralyses Honduras capital, as workers clash with police
  • Date: 28th April 2007
  • Summary: SOLDIERS FOLLOWING A TAXI MAN BEING DETAINED
  • Embargoed: 13th May 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Honduras
  • Country: Honduras
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA925G7HV1REHOKS8H72SVO27YG
  • Story Text: Striking transit workers, seeking a decrease in the price of fuel, clash with police in Honduras. Striking transport workers in the Honduran capital of Tegucigalpa clashed with police on Friday (April 27).
    The taxi and bus drivers blocked central streets, causing severe traffic jams.
    The army was called out and cleared the strikers by throwing tear gas at them.
    Driver Jose Rivera said they should be able to strike in peace,
    "We came here calmly, all of us peacefully to get rid of the cars and they come and they're beating one guy and throwing tear gas," Rivera said.
    Government authorities have said they will re-open talks with the transit workers, who want to negotiate a decrease in the price of gas.
    "The instructions have been clear and there have been dislodgings," said transit director Rene Maradiaga. "We've also kept a dialogue going with them to avoid that people get hurt which has nothing to do with anything. Also to make them see-- and we've made them see-- the effect that the private (taxi) industry has on individuals."
    Local media estimated that half the city's 7,000 taxis and 2,400 buses participated in the strike.
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