{"id":14320,"date":"2026-04-04T13:33:05","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T13:33:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elpregonerodechile.com\/?p=14320"},"modified":"2026-04-04T13:33:05","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T13:33:05","slug":"chile-tops-oecd-fuel-price-hike-with-14-2-surge-in-gasoline-amid-rising-public-discontent-el-ciudadano","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elpregonerodechile.com\/?p=14320","title":{"rendered":"Chile Tops OECD Fuel Price Hike with 14.2% Surge in Gasoline Amid Rising Public Discontent El Ciudadano"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Original article: Kast, l\u00edder mundial de alzas: Chile es el pa\u00eds OCDE con el mayor aumento real en el precio de la gasolina<\/a><\/p>\n\n

Chile Tops OECD Fuel Price Hike with 14.2% Surge in Gasoline, According to GlobalPetrolPrices<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

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Between March 16 and March 30, 2026, Chile reported the highest increase in the price of 95-octane gasoline among all OECD countries, soaring by 14.2%, according to data from the specialized platform GlobalPetrolPrices<\/strong>. \u00abChile leads in real increases in gasoline prices within the bloc,\u00bb confirmed sources from the organization as reported by Nuevo Poder<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The impact was even more dramatic for diesel, which saw a staggering increase of 29.6% during the same period, doubling the rate of the gasoline rise, as noted in the same report.<\/p>\n

The publication further indicates that despite this negative record, gasoline prices in Chile remain below the European average due to higher tax burdens in that region, although they significantly exceed those in neighboring countries such as Colombia, as highlighted by GlobalPetrolPrices in its comparative analysis.<\/p>\n

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Read also \/ The Domino Effect of Kast\u2019s Fuel Price Hike: Truckers Consider Raising Tariffs by 30%, Cost of Living Accelerates and Inflation Increases<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n


<\/a><\/strong>The outlook for the coming weeks \u00abremains uncertain and trending upward,\u00bb warned the platform, influenced by the volatility of WTI crude oil, which has hovered around $100 per barrel following statements made by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the extension of military operations in the Middle East.<\/p>\n

Local experts project new weekly increases that could add up to an additional $37<\/strong> per liter by mid-April, as reported by La Tercera<\/strong> citing sources from the energy market.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00abI Came to Buy \u2018Gold\u2019: 60% of Chileans View Kast\u2019s Rate Hike as \u2018Avoidable,\u2019 International Agencies Report<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

FRANCE 24<\/a> detailed in a report published on March 31, 2026, the social unrest erupting in Santiago following the newly installed Government of Jos\u00e9 Antonio Kast\u2019s decision not to implement the Fuel Price Stabilization Mechanism (Mepco).<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cI came to buy \u2018gold,\u2019 I really think this is terrible. It was a completely arbitrary measure by the government,\u201d stated Valentina Ortega, a driver who managed to fuel up just minutes before the historical price increase took effect, as quoted by Reuters<\/strong>\u2014cited by FRANCE 24<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The report highlights that the increase reaches 30% for gasoline and 60% for diesel, marking the most drastic change since the Mepco\u2019s inception in 2014.<\/strong><\/p>\n

President Kast defended the measure on March 26 before the media, arguing that the state is \u201cout of money.\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cLet there be no doubt that our decision is to improve the quality of life, enhance investment opportunities in our homeland. And I ask every Chilean to help us, to cooperate with these measures that are difficult, not easy,\u201d the president stated, according to coverage by FRANCE 24<\/strong>. However, researcher Recaredo G\u00e1lvez from the Fundaci\u00f3n Sol<\/strong> noted in an interview with a local media outlet cited in the report: \u201cThe Kast government seeks to establish a shock doctrine<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n

The weekly Cadem survey, cited by FRANCE 24<\/strong>, revealed that 60% of the population considers the price hike to be \u201cavoidable.\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0Disapproval of Kast\u2019s management has reached 51%, while his approval rating has fallen to 43%, a drop from the 57% with which he assumed office on March 11.<\/p>\n

Spokesperson Minister Mara Sedini has the lowest approval rating (51% disapproval), followed by Finance Minister Jorge Quiroz, according to the same data. In response to the crisis, the government has frozen kerosene prices for heating, public transport in Santiago, and provided a monthly bonus of around $100 for taxi drivers and school transport, as reported by FRANCE 24<\/strong> in their coverage titled \u201cChile Passes Oil Costs to Citizens and Sparks Social Anger.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n