Colombia truckers strike over fuel costs

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombian truck drivers went on strike on Monday to protest high fuel prices, tolls and freight payments, but the government said the shutdown would have only limited impact.

Colombian truckers joined demonstrations by transporters from Europe to Asia who are demanding help in managing costs as world oil prices soar to record highs.

President Alvaro Uribe planned to meet with the striking drivers on Monday to work out an agreement to end the protest. But the government said so far the strike had a minimal effect on deliveries to ports and supply centres.

The Colombian Truckers Association said most of its members, or around 145,000 drivers, had joined the strike, which started at midnight on Sunday after talks with the transport ministry fell apart.

"Yesterday, about 40 percent of the cargo transporters were parked and today all them will join this strike, because it is not fair we have to keep working at a loss," association president Nemesio Castillo told local radio.

Freight agreements, fuel costs, toll prices and access to credits were among the points the truckers wanted to address with the government, he said.

Coffee exporters in the world's No. 3 grower had sent some deliveries to port early in anticipation and expect no impact if the strike lasted three or four days, said Jorge Lozano, president of the Asoexport coffee exporters association.

Transport Minister Andres Uriel Gallego said reports from early morning showed the strike had limited impact and no roadways were blocked by protesters. The Pacific port of Buenaventura had some reduced traffic, he said.

"Ports on the coast in Santa Marta, Cartagena and Barranquilla are absolutely normal with some reductions in Buenaventura and fuel transportation is normal. So the strike so far has had a minimum impact," he said.