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Related: About this forumMexicans protest gas price hikes as poor set to suffer most
Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across Mexico for the second day in a row to protest a spike in fuel prices that critics say will batter the countrys agricultural sector and food security. Transport workers, campesino (smallholder) organizations and other demonstrators blocked highways and supply terminals in Chihuahua and Morelos states, among other locations, local media reported.
On Sunday, hundreds of protesters marched in Mexico City carrying signs and shouting slogans including Out with Peña, targeting Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, and No to the Gasolinazo, as the price hikes imposed on January 1 have been dubbed.
The growing show of anger and frustration came after Mexicos Ministry of Finance announced last week that gasoline prices would jump by 20.1% and diesel prices by 16.5% at the beginning of 2017 as years of state-regulated fuel prices come to an end.
Critics have accused Peña Nieto and other government officials of ransacking Mexicos state oil company, Pemex, which has undergone a gradual privatization process in recent years that has broken up the longstanding monopoly. Recent reforms have opened the door for private companies to set up gas stations and extract fossil fuels for the first time since the 1930s, busting Pemex control.
Gerardo Noriega Altamirano, a professor and researcher at the Mexicos Chapingo Autonomous University, warned that the price increases could jeopardize agricultural production and food security. The expert argued that the fuel price changes is set to increase the price of tortillas, a staple food product in Mexico, while spiking the cost for corn producers by 20%.
Increases in the price of basic food stuffs like tortillas will hit Mexicos poor the hardest.
The latest blow to poor Mexicans and the countrys agricultural producers could add to Peña Nietos dismal approval ratings amid discontent over widespread human rights violations, corruption scandals and unpopular neoliberal reforms that have embattled the government.
Last August, Peña Nietos approval rating dipped to 23%, according to Mexicos Reforma - a low not seen since the newspaper began polling in 1995.
At: http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Mexicans-Protest-Gas-Price-Hikes-as-Poor-Set-to-Suffer-Most-20170102-0006.html
Eugene
(61,900 posts)Source: The Guardian
The gasolinazo as the price hike is known came as long queues
of cars were already forming at pumps due to fuel shortages, and
has led to violent protests
David Agren in Mexico City
Wednesday 4 January 2017 19.23 GMT
Demonstrators have blockaded highways, looted shops and forced service stations across Mexico to close in a wave of angry protest triggered by a hike of more than 20% in the government-set price of gasoline.
The announcement of the price increase came on 1 January when long queues of cars were already forming at pumps because national oil giant Pemex was unable to supply all gas stations due to problems with oil refining and fuel shortages caused by theft.
The so-called gasolinazo as the price hike is known added insult to injury, and since then, protests have spiraled. Truckers, taxi drivers and irate individuals have blocked the main highways into Mexico City and major thoroughfares in the capital, prompting bus lines to cancel service.
Pemex warned on Tuesday that blockades had created a critical situation in at least three Mexican states, while demonstrations in suburban Mexico City turned violent as protesters looted at least two department stores.
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Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/04/gasolinazo-mexico-gasoline-price-hike-protests-petrol
Judi Lynn
(160,545 posts)of their oil company, it did sound like the betrayal of the poor super majority was on the way.
Such a dirty system.
Now long is it going to take for the world to get organized? The monsters are so outnumbered.
The people need to throw them out of office, they needed so long ago.
This struggle is going to have deep roots. I hope the people have the strength, as they sure have the numbers, and righteousness on their side.