Sky-high crude and diesel prices are fuelling protests worldwide
Oil tankers from the Rmeilan oil fields are backed up along a road after being stopped by local residents during ongoing protests against higher fuel prices near Tal Tamr in northeastern Syria on Wednesday. (Baderkhan Ahmad/The Associated Press)Social SharingHundreds of oil tanker trucks were stranded in Syria on Wednesday, the latest example of protests around the world that are triggered in part by fuel prices.The politics of each situation vary — the truck blockade pictured above, near Tal Tamr, Syria, is tied closely to a plan to bring formerly autonomous Kurdish institutions under control of the country's central government. But in places as far afield as Guatemala and the Philippines, global fuel prices have been a key ingredient in rising unrest.
Oil prices dipped Wednesday, but were still over $100 US due to Middle East oil disruptions. Before the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28, prices were between $60 and $70 a barrel, depending on the type of crude. Diesel, which has more refining bottlenecks and is also affected by the Russia-Ukraine war, has risen even more, up about 60 per cent since late February.Here's a visual look at some of the protests this month. On Sunday, Syria's government hiked gasoline prices by more than 25 per cent and diesel by 40 per cent, citing rising global fuel prices due to the U.S.-Iran war and repair work at a coastal refinery. Protests broke out in several areas, including on the highway between Turkey and Syria's biggest city, Aleppo.
A protester in Aleppo, Syria, burns tires on a highway on Sept. 13 to protest the increase in fuel prices. (Mahmoud Hassano/Reuters)Protesters burn tires and block the road on the highway between Aleppo and Turkey on Sept. 13. (Mahmoud Hassano/Reuters)In Guatemala, transport workers, taxi drivers and Indigenous people have all protested against rising fuel prices.The U.S. non-profit ACLED (Armed Conflict Location and Event Data) said by Sept. 4, there had been 40 demonstrations across 27 cities. Along with higher fuel prices due to the conflict in the Middle East, the country has been dealing with El Niño-related droughts.
Indigenous Guatemalans march to congress to protest against rising fuel prices and to demand government subsidies in Guatemala City, on Sept. 8. (Moises Castillo/The Associated Press)Demonstrators set a roadblock on fire in Villa Nueva, on the outskirts of Guatemala City, on Sept. 11, amid protests over the rise in fuel prices. (Johan Ordonez/AFP/Getty Images)Tensions rose last week when organized truckers and other groups blocked roads, set vehicles on fire, attacked police with weapons and caused destruction in several parts of the country, mainly in the Guatemalan capital.
A burning car is seen next to a roadblock in the Santa Isabel neighbourhood of Villa Nueva on Sept. 11, amid protests over the rise in fuel prices. (Johan Ordonez/AFP/Getty Images)In Bolivia, fuel shortages and rising costs have triggered protests and roadblocks this year by labour unions, Indigenous groups and supporters of former leftist president Evo Morales.
A drone view shows farm workers maintaining a road blockade over the price of diesel, in San Julián, Bolivia, on Sept. 2. (Ipa Ibanez/Reuters)A member of a farm workers' collective sits at a road blockade to demand the repeal of a decree raising the price of diesel in Cuatro Cañadas, Bolivia, on Sept. 2. (Ipa Ibanez/Reuters)Coca growers from the Chapare region take part in a protest march against the economic and social measures of Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz's government, including an increase in diesel prices, in Cochabamba on Sept. 4. (David Flores/AFP/Getty Images)There have also been fuel-related protests in other countries, including Portugal, the Philippines and France.Several dozen fishermen blocked an oil depot in the port of Fos-sur-Mer, France, on Tuesday to protest rising fuel prices and deteriorating working conditions.
Riot police stand by a pallet fire after moving several dozen protesting fishermen in Fos-sur-Mer, France, on Sept. 15. (Clement Mahoudeau/AFP/Getty Images)With files from The Associated Press, Reuters and the CBC's Alexandra Mae Jones
