Puerto Rico is bracing for continued increases in gasoline prices, with the cost at the pump potentially reaching or exceeding $1 per liter as global oil markets react to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. Hiram Torres Montalvo, Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs (DACO), stated that the average price for regular gasoline across the island is currently hovering around $1, with some stations already charging $1.02, $1.03, and even $1.05 per liter.
“There are still some stations offering gasoline for 96, 97 cents, but they are few and far between,” Torres Montalvo explained in an interview. “Premium gasoline is averaging around 10 cents more than regular.”
The price hikes are particularly acute in Puerto Rico compared to the mainland United States, Torres Montalvo noted, because the island relies entirely on imported petroleum. “The United States has its own oil, which is why prices differ from those registered on the island,” he said.
Despite the rising costs, Torres Montalvo emphasized that DACO does not believe the increases are “dramatic” as some reports have suggested. However, the agency has activated its inspectors to monitor gas stations and prevent price gouging or deceptive practices. “Since the conflict began a few weeks ago, we immediately deployed our inspectors to visit gas stations because I know there was a lot of concern from consumers,” he stated.
Inspectors are reviewing purchase invoices to determine the margins of profit gas stations are applying, though DACO currently has no authority to directly control prices or margins in the free market. “Although there is no price or profit margin control currently active, we can determine the margins with which they are operating, and if those margins compare to those they had before the start of the conflict, which is what we have been finding on the street,” Torres Montalvo said. “Despite the price increase, the profit margins of gas stations here in Puerto Rico remain the same.”
As of March 5, 2026, DACO has not found any evidence of irregularities in gasoline pricing, though it has identified some stations with expired weight and measure seals on their pumps. Torres Montalvo explained that malfunctioning or uncalibrated pumps can inadvertently dispense more gasoline than the customer pays for.
DACO is urging consumers to report any suspected irregularities to [email protected], including photos and the address of the station in question.
Luis Rafael Gueits, president of the Association of Gasoline Retailers, indicated that the price of a barrel of oil has remained close to $100, currently at $98.23, and jet fuel has reached $200 per barrel, impacting the aviation industry. He expressed pessimism about a quick resolution to the situation, citing the resilience of the Iranian regime and the lack of progress in reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
There is growing discussion about temporarily suspending the “crudita,” the local excise tax on fuel, as a potential means of providing relief to consumers. Torres Montalvo acknowledged the proposal, noting that such a measure would require finding alternative funding sources for programs currently supported by the tax revenue, and would need approval from the Fiscal Control Board.
Suspending the “crudita” would represent a savings of 16 cents per gallon for regular and premium gasoline, 4 cents per gallon for diesel, and 3 cents per gallon for jet fuel, Gueits explained. However, the process of passing those savings on to consumers would depend on wholesalers reducing their prices and stations purchasing fuel at the lower rate.
Torres Montalvo also expressed hope that a proposal by President Trump to temporarily lift the Jones Act, allowing for the transport of gasoline by non-American flagged vessels, could provide some relief, though he cautioned that the impact may be limited.
The Puerto Rico House of Representatives has scheduled a roundtable discussion on April 17th, bringing together various sectors and agency heads to explore potential solutions to mitigate the economic impact of rising gasoline prices.
