The World - News from June 15, 1989

Riot police in Managua fired tear gas at 1,000 striking taxi drivers protesting government measures that have more than doubled the price of gasoline. Taxi drivers, who own their cabs, stopped work Tuesday after gasoline prices rose by 110% after a 52.5% devaluation of Nicaragua’s currency. In addition to a return to the old price for gasoline, the drivers also want discounts on tires and spare parts and suppression of unofficial “pirate taxis.” The austerity measures by the leftist Sandinista government are aimed at combatting inflation, which was 15.5% last month. The cost of living rose 20,000% last year.