New Delhi, Dec. 20 -- The streets of Bolivia's largest cities, La Paz and Santa Cruz, were brought to a standstill on Friday as public transportation workers went on strike against a 100% fuel price increase ordered by the new government in the South American country.

Food and transportation prices soared, and the workers have demanded that officials revoke the fuel increase.

In La Paz, protesters blocked street corners, while in other cities, public transportation was shut down, long lines formed and residents joined the protests with marches.

Protests could spread nationwide in the coming days, if the government doesn't restore subsidies for gasoline and diesel, said Edson Valdez, a leader of the transportation union.

"The governmen...