Panama New Fuel Prices: Slight Decrease Reported from April 17
Fuel prices will take effect from 6:00 am Friday and will remain in effect until May 1st at 5:59 am.
The National Energy Secretariat announced the new maximum sale prices for liquid fuels in the Republic of Panama, which will come into effect this Friday, April 17. According to the official report, drivers who use 95-octane gasoline will experience some cost relief, as the price per liter will decrease by 2 cents. Conversely, low-sulfur diesel will see a slight increase of 1 cent per liter at service stations nationwide. Prices will take effect from 6:00 am and will remain in effect until May 1st at 5:59 am.
During the press conference this Thursday, April 16, President José Raúl Mulino and the administrator of the Government Innovation Authority (AIG), Adolfo Fábrega, provided details about the fuel subsidy that has been in effect for selective and collective transportation since April 15. Authorities emphasized that the benefit operates under a weekly cap that varies depending on the vehicle category, whether it’s a taxi or a school bus. Fábrega acknowledged that calculating the cap has generated some technical complications, since the subsidized amount varies depending on whether the user uses one or several service stations.
To ensure stability in public transport fares, the AIG explained that the current methodology is based on the economic amount and not on the volume, which allows monitoring the behavior of transactions before making definitive adjustments to the caps. The Panamanian president stressed that maintaining these fixed prices represents a considerable fiscal sacrifice for the State, but it is a necessary measure to prevent the increase in hydrocarbons from being passed on to the cost of food and transportation for citizens while the international crisis persists.
On the other hand, Minister Orillac announced that starting this Friday, April 17, the artisanal fishing, commercial fishing and food transport sectors will be incorporated into the benefit. For all beneficiary sectors, the fixed prices per liter remain at $0.88 for 91 octane gasoline, $0.90 for low sulfur diesel and $1.00 for 95 octane gasoline. These tariffs aim to protect the supply chain and ensure that basic products reach Panamanian tables without increases due to freight costs.
