Peru announces fuel subsidies for transport sector amid protests over rising costs

Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori said ​on Friday the government will implement short-term ‌fuel subsidies for drivers working in cargo and passenger transportation, aiming to offset the burden of higher ​costs that have set off protests ​in part of the South American country.

The ⁠subsidies will begin on Saturday and be in ​place for three months, Fujimori said, with levels ​between 15% and 20% depending on how prices fluctuate.

"This is a director support, especially to those who need ​it most," Fujimori said, speaking alongside Economy ​Minister Elmer Cuba in a press conference. "This is a ‌temporary ⁠mechanism to cushion the extraordinary increase in fuel prices."

The move comes after transport workers and other protesters blocked roads and burned tires on ​Wednesday in ​the city ⁠of Pucallpa, near the border with Brazil, as anger grew over the ​sharp rise in prices.

Local groups have ​also ⁠gone on strike in the eastern region of Ucayali, demanding government action to mitigate the higher ⁠prices ​that they say are squeezing ​households and businesses far from the capital Lima.

-Reuters