The producers were already protesting in the place, but today they decided to increase their strike by reducing the hours in which residents and tourists were able to cross the bridge. Some 1,000 vehicles, including tractors, trucks and private cars were trapped in the jam, which is increasing by the hour, as they were unable to pass through the barriers.
"We are going to live here because they won't listen to our demands. We are thinking about bringing mattresses", warned Sebastian Hernandez, a producer of Allen.
The protest has caused all kinds of complications in the region. Thousands of people arrived in buses and cars from Cipolletti, General Roca, Allen and Regina to the bridge of Neuquen and had to continue their journey on foot. There were also tourists waiting to cross. "We knew nothing about this and we don't understand what's going on," said Mario, a tourist from Mar de Ajó that was waiting with his wife and two daughters for the bridge to be opened so they could continue on to Bariloche.