( CNN ) -- Police in Bolivia used tear gas to disperse hundreds of protesters who took to the streets protesting a hike on the price of fuels Monday . The price of gasoline has risen 73 percent while diesel fuel rose at least 80 percent . The unions representing the public transit workers called for an indefinite national strike in protest which was partially successful Monday . Bolivian President Evo Morales defended the increase , saying it was needed partly because of Bolivian fuel being sold illegally to other countries , the state-run news agency ABI reported . The government had frozen the price of gasoline and diesel for six years and subsidized the cost -- making the fuel a lot cheaper than in neighboring countries . As a result , trafficking in fuels made it a very profitable business , said Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera . `` The profit margin is so great that anybody who sells 10 liters of gasoline in Brazil or Peru makes enough money to live a week or two . Only 10 liters ! That ca n't be . That ca n't be , '' he said . The government estimates that Bolivia loses as much as $ 150 million a year in fuel sold outside the country . But the `` Gasolinazo , '' as the hike is being called , could be a big challenge to Morales who has enjoyed public support for his populist policies . Many are now questioning his commitment to the people . `` Why did he lie ? His ministers said the price would n't go up a single peso and now this , '' said Marta Zurita , a homemaker in the capital Bolivia . `` How can we move forward ? This is bad , very bad . '' Many fear the price increase wo n't be limited to fuel . Taxi drivers raised their fares by as much as a 100 % even though the government warned them not to go higher than 25 % . The drivers ' union agreed to continue negotiations with the government Tuesday to reach an agreement on the new rates . Others rushed to local markets to buy groceries fearing prices will soon go up . Retiree Mary Ortuno said she wishes she could go shopping with a government official to see how much they could afford using only her income . Journalist Gloria Carrasco contributed to this report from La Paz .
The price of gasoline has risen 73 percent . Transit workers have called for an indefinite national strike . The government says the increase is partly because fuel was being sold illegally elsewhere . Many now question Morales ' commitment to the people .