Dominican truckers block two busy ports, unleash chaos

Santo Domingo.- DominicanRepublic Shipping Association (ANRD) president Teddy Heinsen on Thursday calledthe halt of traffic in some ports by the truckers union FENATRADO) "extortion,"warning that it undermines free enterprise.

He called FENATRADO´saction “absolute blackmail” and “once again we reject such conduct detrimentalto the country’s economy, its competitiveness and the citizens themselves.”

The truckers’ action reportedlyresponds to the arrest of one of its leaders in western Jimani, on the border,where FENATRADO also blocked trucks from entering Haiti, in reprisal for Port-au-Prince´sban on the entry of trucks from Dominican Republic.

Heinsen said after thedriver´s arrest by Border Security agents "union president Blas Peralta,ordered the blockade, for no reason, of Caucedo and Haina ports, to press thepolice to proceed with his release."

Dozens of trucks blockedthe entrances to Caucedo and Haina Oriental ports to protest the arrest in Jimani,unleashing chaos in both facilities.