Dozens of Uruguayan cabbies block first training session for Uber drivers

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay – Uruguayan cabbies are blocking Uruguay's first training session for Uber drivers.

Dozens of taxis on Friday cut in downtown Montevideo outside the hotel where the class was scheduled to be held.

A spokesman for a communications company hired by Uber said two classes had been planned in the South American country. He said only a handful of people arrived for the first session because of protests and the second session was canceled. The spokesman spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to be quoted by the press.

The demonstrators belong to a union representing owners of vehicles used as taxis.

Drivers of the Uber ride-sharing app have faced angry protests in Mexico City, Paris and other cities.