The Ministry of Education (Mineduc) reported that parents or guardians will be able to decide whether or not students attend classes on Friday, July 24, as a preventive measure against possible demonstrations called in different parts of the country in rejection of the increase in fuel prices.
The provision applies only to that date and covers public, private, cooperative and municipal educational establishments.
According to the portfolio, the decision responds to the risk that the mobilizations will affect circulation and make it difficult for students to travel to educational centers.
“As a preventive measure and given the risk of disruptions that may affect mobility in different parts of the country, parents or guardians will be able to decide whether or not students attend educational centers, especially when travel conditions represent a difficulty,” indicated the Mineduc.
The institution recommended that the educational community stay informed through its official channels and prioritize the safety of students at all times.
PMT foresees traffic complications
The Municipal Traffic Police (PMT) of Guatemala City foresees complications in vehicular circulation this Friday due to marches, caravans and concentrations called by different organizations that reject the increase in fuel prices.
Amílcar Montejo, Director of Communication at Emetra, reported that traffic authorities maintain constant monitoring of the calls spread on social networks and recommended that motorists take extreme precautions from the early hours of the day.
According to Montejo, the greatest impact on mobility could begin at 7 a.m. in the connections of the route to the Pacific with the Aguilar Batres road, the Roosevelt road, the section between Molino de las Flores and Trébol, as well as between Trébol and Bolívar avenue.
He added that the situation could get complicated after 10 a.m. in the Historic Center, where, according to the information collected by the PMT, concentrations could take place in front of the Congress of the Republic, the Presidential House and the National Palace of Culture.
The spokesperson indicated that the PMT will maintain constant information on the development of the mobilizations and the affected routes, in addition to guiding drivers on alternative routes to reduce congestion.
Among the recommended routes are the San Juan road, the South Boulevard of Ciudad San Cristóbal, the vehicular section of the Las Charcas neighborhood, Petapa Avenue, the Atanasio Tzul road, the 20th street of zone 10, the Los Próceres boulevard, the route to the Atlantic, the La Paz road, the Austriaco Boulevard, Elena Avenue and Cementerio Avenue.
Increase in fuel
The demonstrations have been called amid the sustained increase in fuel prices recorded in recent weeks.
According to the most recent monitoring by the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM), in the metropolitan area the gallon of gasoline is priced, on average, at Q41.07 in self-service mode and Q42.10 in full service.
Regular gasoline registers an average price of Q40.07 in self-service and Q41.08 in full service.
Diesel reaches an average of Q42.26 per gallon in self-service and Q43.19 in full service, so at some service stations it exceeds Q43 per gallon.
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