Regulatory agency suspends decrease in fuel prices

The board of the Public Services Regulatory Authority (ARESEP) on Thursday night suspended a reduction in the per-liter prices of gasoline and diesel, pending the resolution of an appeal filed by a gas station owner.

The decrease of ₡5 for super and plus gasoline, and of ₡6 for diesel, was approved Monday and would enter into force once published Friday in the official newspaper La Gaceta. 

Chamber of Fuel Businesses President Antonio Galva said they suspended a strike called for next week, which would have affected thousands of travelers expected to take advantage of the Easter Holy Week holiday.

He added that “we are open to negotiate with ARESEP, and to provide all required information for making the calculations for setting the appropriate prices.”

ARESEP had set the decrease after ruling the profit margin of gas station owners was too high.