A sweeping transport strike has brought the city of Juliaca, southeastern Peru to a near standstill, as transport unions stage a 48-hour protest starting today, March 25 against soaring fuel prices as the US-“Israeli” war on Iran ensues.
From early morning, the absence of buses and taxis was evident across the city. Urban, interprovincial and interregional transport services were largely halted, with only a handful of motorcycle taxis and private vehicles navigating unusually quiet streets.
Key transport hubs were completely shut down as part of the coordinated action. Routes connecting Juliaca to Puno were suspended, while major terminals, including Las Mercedes, San Francisco in the San Miguel district, and Capachica, ceased operations entirely. In several areas, transport workers erected roadblocks and burned tires, further disrupting movement and signaling mounting frustration within the transport sector.
The strike is being driven by a sustained increase in fuel prices, which transport unions say has made operations financially unviable. Local reports indicate gasoline prices in Juliaca have risen to as much as 21.99 Peruvian soles (roughly US$6) per gallon, levels that drivers argue are among the highest in the region.
With public transportation largely unavailable, many residents have been forced to seek informal and often unsafe alternatives. Along the Juliaca–Arequipa highway, dozens of people were seen boarding cargo trucks and other improvised vehicles to continue their journeys.
Transport leaders are now calling on unions in neighboring regions to join the strike, raising the prospect of wider disruption across southern Peru. Organizations in nearby areas are reportedly considering whether to escalate the action in the coming hours.
As the strike continues, daily life in Juliaca remains heavily disrupted, affecting workers, students and businesses alike. The scale of the shutdown underscores the broader impact of rising fuel costs on transport systems in developing regions, where price increases can quickly ripple through local economies and limit access to essential services.
