Leonel Fernández urges Dominican government to lower fuel prices as oil prices fall

Puerto Plata.- Former Dominican President Leonel Fernández on Sunday called on the government to reduce fuel prices, arguing that the international oil prices used to justify recent increases have fallen back to the levels projected in the 2026 General State Budget.

Speaking during a People’s Force (FP) leadership assembly in Puerto Plata, Fernández said the government increased gasoline prices after crude oil climbed to US$104 per barrel during the Middle East conflict, forcing authorities to subsidize fuel. However, with oil now trading at about US$70 per barrel—the same range anticipated in the national budget—he said Dominican consumers should benefit from lower gasoline prices.

Fernández questioned why fuel prices remain unchanged despite the drop in crude oil costs, insisting that the government should pass the savings on to the public. He also accused the administration of keeping fuel prices high to secure additional revenue for political purposes.

During the assembly, the former president also presented the People’s Force’s political strategy ahead of the 2028 general elections, urging party members to remain united and organized as the opposition seeks to return to power.