Brazil’s government toughened its stance as protests by independent truck owners entered their second day Tuesday. Justice Minister José Eduardo Cardozo instructed highway police to levy a fine of R$1,915 per day on truck owners blocking highways. Calling the protests “strictly political in nature,” Cardozo said the government would not negotiate any of the truckers’ demands. The truck owners are seeking a minimum national freight rate plus lower government-controlled diesel prices. They are also demanding impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff. The protests appeared to diminish somewhat Tuesday, according to press reports. As of Tuesday afternoon, truckers were partially blocking highways in eight states, reports said. Monday’s protests resulted in blocked highways in 14 of Brazil’s 27 states.
Link to UOL news agency article.
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