Panama extends fuel price subsidy


News from Panama / Friday, March 31st, 2023

According to the Executive, this is one of the lowest prices in Central America for 91 and 95 octane gasoline and diesel, which is sold at 3.25 dollars.

The measure, approved by the Council of Ministers, states that after April 22 and until next May 31, the price of 91 octane gasoline and diesel will remain at 3.25 dollars.

Last February 14, the Cabinet endorsed the extension of the fuel price at 3.25 dollars until this April 1st., so the new measure is adopted for a period of 60 additional days, according to the official information.

In the statement, the Government explained that this subsidy represents a great effort and a fiscal sacrifice, in order to ease the high costs of products and services to the population in general, as well as an additional impulse to the ongoing economic reactivation.

According to the official note, until January 15, 2023, the Executive has disbursed some 370 million dollars to sustain fuel subsidy, although it does not specify how much the amount will be until April 1.

The freezing of fuel prices is the result of a wave of protests by social organizations against the high cost of fuel which paralyzed the country in July last year.