Transport groups prepare caravan of more than 100 buses to protest fuel-price rise

About 100 intercity buses will form a caravan through Guatemala City on September 9 as transport operators protest rising fuel prices, extortion and higher operating costs.

The associations say they will not suspend service. The buses represent about 5% of the fleet, and the mobilization will take place after peak demand hours so that enough vehicles remain available to passengers. Organizers apologized in advance for possible delays but said the action aims to pressure the government and Congress to respond.

One caravan will leave from Bulevar Centra Sur and travel along Aguilar Batres Causeway, Bolívar Avenue and Fifth Avenue before reaching the Historic Centre. It will pass the National Palace of Culture and continue to Congress, where the buses will remain while the operators wait to be received.

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We are not seeking to block anyone or paralyze anyone, only to express our position.

A second caravan will depart from Roosevelt Causeway near Molino de las Flores, join the Periférico and head toward Zone 1. It is scheduled to remain near the National Palace of Culture until 6 p.m. The groups said they hope to meet President Bernardo Arévalo, executive officials and congressional caucus leaders.

The transport associations notified the departmental government of the action on September 3. They said the protest also criticizes Congress for moving slowly and poorly planning a proposed subsidy or expanded compensation fund. One representative said the goal was not to block or paralyze anyone, but to express the sector’s position.

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We have to tell them that the peaceful demonstration is a reproach to Congress for its slowness and poor planning on the issue of a subsidy solution or an increased compensation fund.