As protests stretched into their ninth day, Colombia’s National Federation of Fuel and Energy Distributors (Fendipetroleo) released a statement warning of fuel shortages if demonstrators continued to prevent petroleum trucks from entering and exiting urban areas via roadblocks, Reuters reported May 6.

The demonstrations began after the Colombian government presented a tax reform proposal to Congress on April 15 with several controversial provisions that would increase taxes on the country's middle class. Though initial demonstrations were policy-focused, they have since morphed into general unrest over Colombia's worsening economic situation, prolonged COVID-19 lockdowns and failed peace process with paramilitary groups in the country.