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Peru Announces Tax Cuts on Food and Fuel as Protests Intensify

  • Protests led by farmers and truckers have lasted six days
  • Inflation hit 24-year high, challenging President Castillo
A police officer stands guard at the Panamerican Highway blocked by truck drivers demanding nationwide lower fuel costs and reduced toll payments, near the southern Andean city of Arequipa, Peru on March 28.

A police officer stands guard at the Panamerican Highway blocked by truck drivers demanding nationwide lower fuel costs and reduced toll payments, near the southern Andean city of Arequipa, Peru on March 28.

Photographer: Diego Ramos/AFP/Getty Images

Peru Finance Minister Oscar Graham announced fuel and food tax cuts as protests led by farmers and truckers have intensified across the South American country.

The government decided to reduce a selective consumption tax for fuel by 90% and will propose a bill to exempt basic food items like chicken, eggs, flour and noodles from sales tax, Graham said.