The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has suspended the sale of subsidized diesel fuel to the transport unions. Saturday’s announcement by minister Melanio Paredes was forced on the government as a result of the continuing increase in the price of a barrel of oil. Over the weekend the price of oil hit US$142 a barrel. In a press release handed out to reporters, Paredes said that a number of alternatives were being discussed with transport leaders in meetings coordinated by OPRET – the Transport Reorganization Office. The minister added that the government was doing all it could to minimize the impact of rising oil prices on transport and consumers.