Antigua Govt Absorbs Fuel Price Hike to Shield Citizens

Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne says his government has been absorbing rising international fuel costs to shield citizens from higher living expenses.

Speaking on his weekend radio programme, Browne explained that fuel price spikes typically drive up transportation, groceries, and other imported goods. Their West Indies Oil Company confirmed that the latest shipment arrived at significantly higher prices, with diesel and jet fuel seeing the steepest increases.

Despite that pressure, gasoline prices in the twin-island nation have held steady at EC$14.25 per imperial gallon, roughly $10.60 Belize dollars.

To keep it that way, the government has reduced consumption taxes on fuel. “We have decided to take less in taxes to maintain stability in the pricing,” Browne said.

Meanwhile, fuel costs have risen in Belize. Prime Minister John Briceño says the war in Iran is driving the increases and that there is little the country can do to avoid the impact. 

“There is nothing we can do about it…We are a small player,” he said, adding that Belize must find ways to balance support for farmers and citizens in a situation beyond its control.