A massive truck strike in Brazil, now in its eighth day has spread to at least 10 states, intensifying despite government threats of heavy fines for truckers blocking roads.
The spontaneous spread of the demonstrations without organized help from unions has complicated government efforts to negotiate with protesters.
Highway operator Ecovias said truckers had blocked off access to part of the Port of Santos, by far Brazil’s biggest coffee port. Railway operator America Latina Logistica SA said the strike was delaying shipments.
The government said it was prepared to open talks with the trucking sector over the extension of loan terms and the setting of freight rates but had no plans to lower diesel prices, Presidential Spokesman Miguel Rossetto said Tuesday evening, as reported by Reuters.
