Demonstrations broke out in many countries in response to the soaring oil prices that began after Russia launched a military invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
Crude oil hit a historic high on March 7, when it reached $ 130 per barrel. This represents the most bloated number since 2008.
Prices have fallen after Kyiv and Moscow met on March 16, but experts have warned that inflation and instability could continue.
Meanwhile, Albania, Paraguay, Canada, Spain and France have already demonstrated against very high fuel costs.
Phil Flynn of the Price Futures Group attributed prices to “a short-sighted and dangerous war against fossil fuels that are flashing back at almost every level.”
Flynn argues that the green energy movement has brought a “dangerous supply shortage” of oil to the world, allowing Russian President Vladimir Putin to use his vast oil. Energy resources As a military and political weapon.
Paraguay imports 100% of its oil from other countries, mainly Argentina and the United States.
South American countries rely entirely on hydropower for their energy use, but the afflicted transportation sector has been hit hard by soaring oil prices.
Bus drivers, truck drivers, regular taxi drivers, and motorcycle taxi drivers began road strikes and mass closures nationwide from March 14th, lasting three consecutive days.
Sylvia Torres, a resident of Asuncion, said wealthy Paraguayan businessmen are taking advantage of global price increases and using their bloated profits to raise money for the 2023 presidential election campaign.
“The gas station here is monopolized,” Torres said.
She also explained that President Mario Abdo Benitez has taken no action to relieve the pain consumers are feeling with pumps and protests will continue in the near future.
“Fuel prices go up every week. It’s very high.”
In Albania, police arrested at least 16 people on the night of March 9 after Tirana demonstrators went out to the streets to protest gas and oil prices.
Activists and organizers called for further action the next day, with demonstrations in Duras and Shkoder.
Outside the office of Prime Minister Edi Rama in Tirana, protesters raised a flag stating “with an oligarchy government.”
Reply to demonstrators, Lama Post A Facebook video on March 10 covers the impact of the Russian war in Ukraine on global oil prices.
“Since the first signs of the energy crisis … the government has warned of difficult times and has set up financial shields for families and small businesses,” Rama said.
A representative of the country’s dairy industry issued a statement on March 16. “This suspension will stop milk collection on livestock farms from tomorrow, and above all, the nutritionally basic products in people’s foods, such as milk and dairy products, are at risk.”
March 17, Spanish Minister of Transport Raquel Sanchez Said The government dispatched 15,000 police to protect truck drivers who were not participating in the protest, navigating the picket line to guarantee delivery of goods.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has assured his administration on March 29 that it will pass steps to reduce catastrophic high energy prices and mitigate inflation.
Spain’s energy prices are at their highest in 36 years due to the effects of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Aside from government guarantees, farmers suffering from high diesel and feed costs will be demonstrating in Madrid on March 20th.
On the North American continent, a convoy of Canadian truck drivers from British Columbia demonstrated on Highway 1 on the morning of March 14 against rising fuel prices.
Protest organizer Ryan Hess said he would like to note the high prices of diesel in the state and how it undermines the ability of transportation companies to make a profit.
Returning to Europe, French truck drivers are also suffering from rising diesel prices.
On March 14, more than 100 truck drivers or “carriers” gathered in front of the government building in Rennes, challenged the rise in fuel prices and demanded an action plan from the government.
As a timely response, on March 16th, Prime Minister Jean Castex set out to benefit the French economy and those working in inflation-affected sectors such as fishermen, farmers, construction and road transport. Announced a $ 100 million resilience plan.
Initial numbers are as oil prices continue to fluctuate Increased cost The amount of oil has hit Europe the hardest, with Greeks paying nearly 6% of their monthly income for 16 gallons of gasoline.
By comparison, Mexicans pay almost 5% of their monthly income for the same amount of gas, while US consumers pay 1.22%.
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Autumn is a South American-based reporter who focuses primarily on Latin American issues in the Epoch Times.