Córdoba: taxi drivers' union caused total chaos due to a protest against transportation apps

With 28 votes in favor, 2 against, and 1 abstention, the City Council approved regulation of transportation apps without a driver quota. The session was marked by pressure from the taxi drivers' and workers' union, who filled the streets. Since mid-morning, the city was engulfed in total chaos due to roadblocks and closures.

The union members marched along Costanera Norte and blocked key bridges such as Alvear and Maipú. Barricades and a strong police operation attempted to contain the incidents. Traffic became impossible, and the downtown area was paralyzed by a bottleneck effect on the main arteries.

Access to the microcenter and several nearby areas was brought to a standstill. Service roads and avenues connecting to outlying neighborhoods experienced prolonged traffic jams. Ambulance and public transportation circulation was also severely affected.

Protest with incidents and violence

As the session progressed, tension increased in the vicinity of the Council. There were shoving, insults, and scuffles between protesters and police officers. The burning of tires worsened the situation and added thick smoke to the downtown area.

The union demanded to halt the ordinance that eliminates the license quota for Uber, Didi, and Cabify. They argue that the platforms create "unfair competition" and call for greater restrictions. However, the new regulation still keeps strong state control over the apps.

Residents and business owners reported that the protest was an act of mafia-like pressure. They stated that the taxi strike and the blocking of streets harmed thousands of Cordoba residents who needed to travel for work or medical appointments.

Conflicting positions

The ruling party promoted the ordinance following guidelines from the Superior Court of Justice. The stated goal is to avoid future judicial obstacles. The regulation puts an end to years of litigation that began in 2018, when the existing framework effectively banned these platforms.

Despite the approval, political differences persist regarding key points of the text. Some sectors argue that regulation should move toward full liberalization. Others seek to maintain strong restrictions to protect the traditional service.

Meanwhile, the city still feels the consequences of the operation and the union blockade. Traffic only began to return to normal in the afternoon, with economic losses and widespread discontent among the population.