On August 21, the Haitian government implemented a nationwide increase on the price of gasoline and other essential petroleum-based products.
The gas price hikes come just days after a joint notice was issued by the Ministry of Economy & Finance and the Ministry of Trade & Industry.
The business community & general public were notified that retail prices for gasoline, diesel fuel, and kerosene would go up.
Gasoline
A gallon of gas rose nationally from 189 gourdes (U.S. $2.92) to 219 gourdes (U.S. $3.38). This 30 gourdes increase represents a 15.87% rise over the previous price.
Diesel Fuel
Diesel fuel, which is mainly used by large trucks and industrial vehicles, now costs 179 gourdes (U.S. $2.77) per gallon. This 30 gourdes price gain represents a 20.13% premium over the previous price of 149 gourdes (U.S. $2.30).
Kerosene
Kerosene, a standard household fuel, saw its price increase from 148 gourdes (U.S. $2.29) to 173 gourdes (U.S. $2.67). This additional 25 gourdes represents a 16.89% increase over the previous price.
The sweeping price increases were met with immediate backlash.
Many Haitians rely on these fuels daily to meet their basic energy needs.
Several prominent government officials, political parties, and transportation unions publicly objected to the measure.
Transportation unions had planned to strike in the coming days to protest the drastic price increases.
On August 24th, the Cabinet of Haitian Interim President Jocelerme Privert released an official notice informing the nation that the new fuel prices, which were only in effect for a few days, would be temporarily suspended.
The new gas prices will revert temporarily but may inevitably be raised at some point in the future.
