Italy Suspends Trucker Blockades in Sicily and Calabria After Protests

The Italian government has adopted a hardline stance against trucker protests in Sicily and Calabria, with police identifying and reporting demonstrators while escorting vehicles, as fuel price protests caused supply disruptions. A decree with aid measures is expected at a Cabinet meeting. Trucker associations in Sicily and Calabria have suspended their blockades after receiving assurances of participation in national talks, though they warn of further action if demands are unmet by an October 27 meeting. Police have identified 1,339 people, reported 71, and sanctioned 242, while escorting around 500 trucks to ensure deliveries. The blockades have caused empty supermarket shelves, fuel shortages at airports, and warnings from Naples and Bari mayors of "paralyzed cities" overwhelmed by waste. Industry groups report severe damage, including 30 million euros in kiwi losses and halted mozzarella production, with some violent incidents reported against drivers.