By Natalia Rueda 
Bogotá, Colombia has been gripped by mass protests as taxi drivers take to the streets to demand government action against transportation platforms such as Didi and Uber. The strike has caused chaos and upheaval for both locals and travelers. The protests have spread to other cities including Villavicencio, Cúcuta, Bucaramanga, Cali, and Tunja. The union is calling on the Colombian government to address a number of issues plaguing the taxi industry.
Taxi Driver Demands
Taxi drivers called for protests on Wednesday, October 25th, to demand improvements in their working conditions and the elimination of digital transportation platforms such as Uber. They claim these platforms create unfair competition and negatively impact their incomes. The protest also aims to address alleged rights violations by traffic agents. This comes shortly after the Supreme Court approved the operation of Uber and other platforms in the country, intensifying tensions between taxi drivers and technology companies. The protest is an additional effort to pressure for significant changes in the transportation sector.
LATAM Support
In the midst of this chaos, Latam Airlines is providing much-needed assistance to passengers with canceled or rescheduled flights. Recognizing the inconvenience and stress caused by the strikes, the airline is offering rescheduling options at no extra cost. This means that affected passengers can change their travel dates without penalty or fare difference, as long as there is availability in the same cabin as their original ticket.
The protests have caused major congestion and traffic jams in the city with cab drivers blocking major roads and highways. In Medellín, protests have been organized at various points throughout the city, including near the Medellín-Bogotá highway and at the José María Córdova airport traffic circle in Rionegro.
Latam Airlines’ swift response to the strikes highlights their commitment to providing quality service and support to their customers. The airline understands the value of their passengers’ time and is working to minimize the impact of the strikes on their travel plans.
The cab strike has once again shed light on the ongoing tensions between traditional cab drivers and new transportation platforms. As the government and unions continue to negotiate, it is uncertain how long the strike will last and its impact in the in the city’s transportation industry.
With information from El Colombiano