Lima transport strike suspended after agreement with Congress
The transport workers' strike in Lima was suspended this Thursday, October 2, following a meeting between union representatives and Peruvian Congressional officials. The meeting included the president of the Legislature, José Jerí, and the heads of the Transportation and Citizen Security committees, who pledged to promote a bill within ten business days.
The initiative seeks to create an Elite Group focused on combating extortion, contract killings, and other forms of crime affecting the sector. The decision was confirmed by spokespersons for the National Association for the Integration of Transporters (Anitra) and the Coordinator of Urban Transport Companies of Lima and Callao (CTU).
During the day, the protests led to blockades on Abancay Avenue, demonstrations on the Panamericana Norte highway, and a significant reduction in public transportation in several districts of the capital. According to unions, nearly 30% of drivers stopped working due to threats linked to organized crime .
In addition to the transporters, construction workers joined in, demanding concrete measures to combat the spread of criminal organizations. With the agreement reached in Parliament, transport units resumed their routes and the affected roads were cleared.
During the opening of the third session of the National Council for Citizen Security (CONASC), President Dina Boluarte addressed the transport workers' strike in Lima. The president questioned the measure and urged the unions to opt for dialogue, noting that the strikes cause economic losses for both drivers and commuters.
Boluarte also downplayed the impact of the protest on the fight against insecurity. He stated that a 24- or 48-hour strike will not resolve the actions of organized crime, and emphasized that the phenomenon extends beyond the Executive Branch and Congress, as it involves transnational networks operating from abroad.
Congress will continue working on the bill , while unions await the established deadlines. For now, the transport workers' strike in Lima has been suspended, but the demand for greater security remains.
Impact of the transport strike in Lima on commuters and drivers
The mobilization left thousands of people without services, while unions report threats and loss of income.
In addition to the legislative commitment, the transport unions requested that protective measures be strengthened for drivers who have been victims of extortion. According to preliminary data, in the last three months, more than 200 complaints have been filed regarding threats related to the collection of "quotas" (fees) on urban and suburban routes. This situation has generated fear among drivers, many of whom have chosen to stop going to work to avoid retaliation.
In this context, the creation of an Elite Group against organized crime was welcomed by union leaders, although they warned that its implementation must be swift and with sufficient resources. "Promises aren't enough. We need patrols, intelligence, and real protection for our colleagues," said one of the CTU spokespersons after the meeting in Congress.
On the other hand, the bus strike in Lima highlighted the fragility of the public transportation system in the face of social pressure. During the protest, thousands of users were stranded at bus stops without service, while others had to resort to informal alternatives or pay higher fares in taxis and mobile apps. For many workers, making ends meet is already difficult, and these types of disruptions further complicate their daily routines.
The Executive branch announced that a contingency plan for future demonstrations will be evaluated, with the goal of ensuring service continuity without violating the right to protest. At the same time, a technical roundtable will be convened with the participation of unions, local authorities, and representatives from the Ministry of the Interior .
The transport workers' strike in Lima also generated reactions on social media, where users shared images of blocked avenues, stopped buses, and long walks to work. Most of the messages expressed concern about insecurity, but also about the lack of structural solutions.
Meanwhile, the unions hope that Congress will meet the agreed deadlines and that the anti-extortion bill will advance without delay. The conflict, although suspended, remains simmering in the streets and on the political agenda.
