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Latin American fuel markets face rising costs and shifting consumption
Fuel prices and consumption trends are shifting across Latin America. In Argentina, fuel sales reached a two-year low during the first seven months of 2026, with gasoline sales dropping 5.26% compared to 2023. This decline coincides with a massive 1,387% nominal increase in fuel taxes under the current administration, resulting in a 240% real increase in the tax burden. While tax revenue has grown, reports indicate that investment in road infrastructure has significantly decreased.
In Guatemala, President Bernardo Arévalo de León has proposed a diesel price cap of 39 quetzales (approximately $5.11 USD) per gallon to Congress to mitigate rising costs and social unrest. Meanwhile, in Honduras, the Association of Petroleum Product Distributors (Ahdippe) warned that diesel prices may continue to rise due to global geopolitical instability, urging the government to develop long-term energy policies.
In Bolivia, the oilseed and wheat producers association (Anapo) expressed willingness to accept new diesel pricing regimes provided the government allows for biotechnology use and eases export restrictions to ensure international competitiveness. Additionally, Chilean authorities confirmed upcoming increases in gasoline and diesel prices ahead of national holidays due to international oil market pressures.
Entities
Ahdippe · Anapo · Argentina · Bernardo Arévalo de León · Chile · Daniel Mas · Dos Bocas · Guatemala · Independent Grocers Alliance · Instituto Argentina Grande · Javier Milei · Olmeca Refinery
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Fuel accounts for between 15% and 30% of total food costs according to industry estimates. logistica360chile.cl
- [● 2 SOURCES] Premium gasoline sales saw the largest decline, dropping 7.3% compared to 2023. frenteacano.com.ar · cuestionentrerriana.com.ar
- [● 3 SOURCES] Fuel taxes in Argentina increased by 1,387% since the change in administration. frenteacano.com.ar · cuestionentrerriana.com.ar · lagacetaonline.com.ar
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Honduran fuel distributors warned that diesel prices may continue to rise due to geopolitical crises. dinero.hn
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Chilean authorities confirmed fuel price increases for gasoline and diesel ahead of national holidays. www.elinformadorchile.cl
- [● 2 SOURCES] Fuel station dispatches in July decreased by 6.4% compared to July 2025. frenteacano.com.ar · cuestionentrerriana.com.ar
- [● 2 SOURCES] Fuel sales in Argentina fell to their lowest level in two years during the first seven months of 2026. frenteacano.com.ar · cuestionentrerriana.com.ar
- [DISPUTED] The average price of diesel in the United States reached a historic high of $5.85 per gallon. logistica360chile.cl
- [● 2 SOURCES] Gasoline sales in Argentina dropped to 5,667.3 million liters between January and July 2026, a 5.26% decrease compared to the same period in 2023. frenteacano.com.ar · cuestionentrerriana.com.ar
- [● 3 SOURCES] Taxes now represent 20.1% of the total price of gasoline. lagacetaonline.com.ar · economis.com.ar · elciudadanoweb.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The real tax burden on gasoline has increased by 240%. lagacetaonline.com.ar · economis.com.ar · elciudadanoweb.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The director of Ahdippe, Saraí Silva, warned that diesel prices in Honduras could continue to rise due to global geopolitical crises. dinero.hn