The strike convened last week by populist groups in the town of Licey al Medio has gotten ugly and racked up considerable losses. Originally called in sympathy to the violent "popular strike" held by similar groups in Salcedo last week, the Licey strike has proceeded even after the Salcedo strike ended. In five days of the strike over 100 people have been arrested y police and one young man, Luis Alberto Su?rez, was shot dead by police. Losses from closed businesses and impeded transport are estimated at around RD$15 million. Yesterday a truckload of cigarettes from the E. Le?n Jimenes company was stopped on a road outside Licey, its driver and guard removed, and the truck set on fire. The new governor of Santiago Province, Ventura Camejo, tried yesterday to negotiate with strike leaders an end to the strike, with local Catholic Church representatives mediating. The talks broke down, however, when strike leaders insisted on the immediate release of all detainees and the immediate withdraw of police troops from the town. Ventura Camejo asked for time to meet the demand, but the leaders refused. After the meeting the Church representatives and a local lawyer participating in the talks, Maribel Gabot, were detained by police. The detention has been roundly criticized by human rights organizations.
