President Claudia Sheinbaum and national gas station industry leaders agreed on April 28 to reduce the voluntary maximum diesel price to 27 pesos per liter (about $1.35 USD), cutting one peso from the cap set the previous week. The new ceiling takes effect in the coming days, with some stations expected to adjust gradually as they sell off existing inventory purchased at the higher price.
The agreement was reached at a meeting in the Tesorería hall of the National Palace in Mexico City. Enrique Félix Robelo, president of Onexpo Nacional, the organization representing gas station operators across all 32 Mexican states, confirmed the deal. Before the agreement, diesel had been selling for up to 28.28 pesos per liter (roughly $1.42 USD).
Prices Have Dropped in Stages
The price reduction is the latest in a series of voluntary caps negotiated between the federal government and fuel retailers. The first agreement set a maximum of 28.50 pesos per liter, which was then lowered to 28.28 and then to 28 pesos. The new 27-peso ceiling represents the fourth step down.
Sheinbaum said that without ongoing government fiscal stimulus measures, diesel prices could have risen above 30 pesos per liter (about $1.50 USD). She noted that global crude oil prices have swung between $56 and $110 per barrel in recent periods, directly affecting fuel costs at the pump.
Bank and Payment Commissions Also Cut
Part of the deal involves reduced transaction fees. Banks and voucher (vales) companies agreed to lower their commissions on fuel purchases starting May 1. This means customers paying by card or voucher at gas stations will see lower effective prices. Sheinbaum thanked the banking sector and voucher issuers, saying “all together we move forward for Mexico.”
For Baja California, where diesel prices have historically run above the national average due to higher distribution costs, the cap carries particular weight. Diesel powers the peninsula’s trucking routes, commercial fishing fleets, and many off-grid generators. Any reduction in diesel costs ripples through food prices, shipping fees, and utility bills for residents from Tijuana to Cabo San Lucas.
The agreement is voluntary, not a regulatory mandate. Sheinbaum did not specify an end date for the price ceiling. First reported by Semanario ZETA in Tijuana.