Colombia is the second country in Latin America with the lowest price of gasoline, according to a study by the consulting firm Picodi, where it is observed that only Ecuador has a more affordable rate.
According to the data collected by the consultant, During June, a liter of gasoline in this country had an average price of $2,385 and fell 0.2% compared to the value registered in January ($2,390).
The firm indicated that Colombia and Ecuador were the only two countries in the entire continent where fuel prices have fallen, since in other nations the price of gasoline is going up due to the international price of oil, which during the first half of the year it touched US$127 in the Brent reference.
In fact, in United States, the gallon is reaching US$5, something that has never been seen in the history of that country. Likewise, Panama, with a current price per liter of US$1.52, was the economy with the highest increase among the occupants of the continent, with a price 65% higher than at the beginning of the year.
On the other hand, andn Ecuador, gasoline in June was 1% cheaper than in January. While in Cuba and Bolivia, prices remained stable during the first six months of the year. This is because their respective governments control rates and even set limits.
Meanwhile, the top three of the countries with the most expensive gasoline per liter between January and June are made up of Uruguay (US$2.02), Canada (US$1.7) and Peru (US$1.68).
The landscape might change
In the case of Colombia, the trend might be reversed due to the rise in international oil prices, which were cushioned by the Fuel Price Stabilization Fund (Fepc), the body attached to and administered by the Ministry of Finance, whose function main goal is to mitigate the impact of international fluctuations.
The National Government has planned several gradual increases in fuel prices to mitigate the Fepc deficit, which, according to estimates by the Autonomous Committee of the Fiscal Rule (Carf), will reach $34 billion by the end of the year. Therefore, fuel prices will tend to rise in the remainder of the year in the country.
During June, a liter of gasoline had an average price of $2,385 and fell 0.2% compared to January: PHOTO: FILE.