President Claudia Sheinbaum is in negotiations with gas station owners to ensure that the price of regular gasoline does not exceed 24 pesos per liter. However, the vast majority of states in the country, 25 out of 32, exceed this price, according to data from PETROIntelligence. Eight entities have an average above 25 pesos.
For example, Quintana Roo sells the most expensive regular gasoline, with an average price of 25.624 pesos per liter, followed by Nayarit, Baja California Sur, Oaxaca, Guerrero, Durango, Zacatecas, and Michoacán. Another 17 entities also have prices above 24 pesos, such as Sinaloa, Colima, Nuevo León, Aguascalientes, San Luis Potosí, and Guanajuato. In Mexico City, the average price is 24.305 pesos per liter, slightly higher than the government target.
In contrast, Puebla, Querétaro, Tabasco, Baja California, Tlaxcala, Chihuahua, and Tamaulipas are the only states selling gasoline below 24 pesos. Sheinbaum mentioned: "What we don't want is for gas station owners to abuse. More than setting a price or a maximum profit, we want to reach an agreement."
The National Organization of Petroleum Vendors (ONEXPO) reported that the gas station sector is in dialogue with the hydrocarbons sub-secretariat to analyze the factors influencing the price. Javier Díaz of GasGas App warns about the implications of a price cap, as it could lead to shortages and market problems.
Regarding the Revenue Law, higher taxes on gasoline have been set to reduce the deficit. Sheinbaum and the Secretary of Energy are negotiating to establish a price cap for the fuel. However, the private sector is requesting a reduction in the Special Tax on Products and Services (IEPS) that makes gasoline more expensive.
Stabilizing the price at 24 pesos per liter could lead to fewer gas stations and the disappearance of some brands. Enrique Quintana suggests that it is necessary to consider the sustainability of gas station companies before imposing rigid maximum prices in the market.
