The problem expressed by ASTIC representatives is that their main raw material is diesel fuel and approximately 50% of their market rate is spent on fuel alone, which has become unsustainable for the sector.

"It is critical for us that throughout the year fuels have been increasing little by little and the sector absorbs these small increases, which do not allow us to negotiate with our customers a gradual increase", said ASTIC President Raul Alfaro.

The ASTIC secretary assures that the union has presented proposals to the Ministry of Economy (MINEC), in which they seek a possible regulation of fuel prices to be carried out in a period of three months. "This generates stability for us to be able to maintain freight prices and that there is no abrupt increase", he said.

"Yesterday we had a meeting with them and we spent an hour in the Presidential House, waiting to be attended, however we made the decision to withdraw because the Minister of Economy, María Luisa Hayem did not show up", said the secretary of ASTIC, Enrique Rafael Ángel.

The secretary of the union said that they are not increasing the price of freight, but are simply requesting an initiative to recover the extra cost of fuel for carriers.

In addition, the carriers are asking MINEC to create a "social tariff" for fuel throughout the national territory.