Guatemala Diesel Prices Spark Protests As Congress Stalls
GUATEMALA · ECONOMY
Key Facts
- —What happened: Guatemala’s indigenous rights group 48 Cantones marched through the capital Tuesday to demand relief from soaring diesel prices.
- —The scale: Diesel prices have jumped from about 25 quetzales (US$3.25) in January to over 46 quetzales (US$6) a gallon.
- —Who it hits: Truckers and bus companies say the higher diesel costs are pushing up fares and food prices nationwide.
- —The catch: Organizers ruled out road blockades for Tuesday, but transport unions plan one for Wednesday instead.
- —What’s next: Congress must still vote on a proposed 39-quetzal (about US$5) cap on diesel before Wednesday’s threatened bus caravan.
Guatemala’s fuel-price protests entered a new phase Tuesday, with marches in the capital and no deal yet from Congress.
Indigenous leaders led a peaceful march into Guatemala City on Tuesday. They want the government to stop fuel prices from rising further.
The march came from the 48 Cantones organization in Totonicapán. Diesel has become so expensive that bus companies say they can barely cover costs.
Diesel Prices Keep Climbing
A gallon of diesel cost about 25 quetzales (roughly US$3.25) in January 2026. By this week it topped 46 quetzales (about US$6), Guatemala’s energy ministry says.
Gasoline has also risen sharply this year. Regular gasoline now costs about 41 quetzales (US$5.34) a gallon, up from roughly 26 quetzales (US$3.42) in January.
Premium gasoline followed the same pattern. It now costs about 43 quetzales (US$5.60) a gallon, up from around 27 quetzales (US$3.55) in January.
Guatemala’s energy ministry blames the increase on tension near the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping route off Iran. President Bernardo Arévalo says part of the increase is unfair speculation, not a real supply problem.
Guatemala imports all of its gasoline and diesel. That leaves the country exposed whenever world oil markets get jumpy.
Overall fuel costs have risen close to 50% over the past six months, officials say. That increase has also pushed up food and medicine prices, Prensa Comunitaria reports.
Congress Fails to Agree on Relief
Lawmakers have tried and failed several times to agree on relief. On September 1, a plan to suspend fuel taxes for six months failed when Congress could not reach a quorum.
Opposition lawmakers had proposed that plan. It included a 1.75 billion quetzal (about US$227 million) fund to cut 12 quetzales (US$1.56) off each gallon of diesel.
Congress had approved a temporary subsidy back in April. That money ran out months ago.
Deputy Marleny Matías said Congress has done nothing for over a month. Lawmakers also floated a smaller rebate of 15 quetzales (about US$1.95) a gallon on September 3.
The public rejected that smaller rebate. Congress kept searching for another option.
Congress also discussed creating a permanent fund to smooth out future oil-price swings. No final version of that idea has passed either.
Days earlier, Congress found time to approve a new benefit for military veterans. It still had no deal on fuel relief for everyone else.
President Arévalo has now proposed something different. He wants to cap diesel at 39 quetzales (about US$5) a gallon.
The state would cover any cost above that price using emergency funds. But his energy minister showed up to Congress without a written plan for how it would work.
Lawmakers from both sides complained that the government came unprepared. Arévalo’s party does not control Congress, so the plan’s fate is uncertain.
Transport Unions Threaten Blockades
Truckers and bus operators already blocked highways for days last week. At the peak, protesters shut down 17 highways in a single day.
Guatemala’s Chamber of Commerce asked judges to intervene. The country’s Constitutional Court then ordered police to help clear the roads if blockades returned.
Farm groups such as the Chamber of Agriculture also rejected the blockades. They said blocked highways kept crops and supplies from reaching markets.
Two transport groups plan a bigger show of force Wednesday. Gretrucex and Gretexpa will drive about 100 buses to Congress and park them there.
One organizer said the caravan would prove they can paralyze the capital if needed. They want a special fund to offset diesel costs for buses and trucks.
Where Things Stand This Week
Business chambers want all roads kept open from now on. They say last week’s blockades already cost the economy millions of dollars.
Tuesday’s 48 Cantones march stayed peaceful, with no blockades reported. Organizers say they are also angry about food prices and a lack of drought aid for farmers.
Traffic police helped reroute drivers around Tuesday’s march in the capital. Officials asked the public to expect delays near the historic center.
Guatemala now waits to see whether Wednesday brings fresh blockades. Congress has not said when it will vote on the diesel price cap.
More: Guatemala news in English, every day from The Rio Times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are fuel prices rising so fast in Guatemala?
Guatemala’s energy ministry blames tension near the Strait of Hormuz, a major oil shipping route off Iran. President Bernardo Arévalo also blames unfair speculation by fuel companies.
What did Guatemala’s Congress fail to approve?
Lawmakers could not agree on a plan to suspend fuel taxes and create a subsidy fund. A newer proposal to cap diesel at 39 quetzales (about US$5) a gallon is still pending.
Will there be transport blockades this week in Guatemala?
Tuesday’s march by the 48 Cantones group ruled out road blockades. But bus and truck associations plan a 100-vehicle caravan to Congress on Wednesday.
How much have diesel prices increased in Guatemala?
Diesel has jumped from about 25 quetzales (US$3.25) a gallon in January to more than 46 quetzales (US$6) now. That is an increase of over 80% in eight months.
Sources: Infobae, Prensa Libre, La Hora, Emisoras Unidas, Prensa Latina, Guatemala’s Ministry of Energy and Mines.
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