As rumors of rising prices and fuel shortages intensify, long lines and the return of jerrycans and yellow containers are being observed at many service stations.

Faced with this growing panic among consumers, James Monazard, the Minister of Commerce and Industry, stated in a press release, "[...] no fuel shortage has been observed on the national market. Petroleum products are available at gas pumps and their distribution is ensured through formally authorized channels.

Consequently, any sale of fuel outside these channels, particularly in jerrycans or any other container not compliant with the law, is strictly prohibited throughout the national territory.

As such, any individual or legal entity involved in the illegal sale of fuel will be subject to immediate enforcement measures, including the seizure of products, the closure of the sales outlets concerned, and legal proceedings in accordance with applicable laws."

The Ministry has instructed the relevant authorities, including inspection services and law enforcement, to ensure the strict and zero-tolerance application of these provisions.

The Ministry also calls on the public to fully cooperate and report any illegal practices.

On Saturday morning, March 28, 2026, the Ministry, through its inspectors, conducted a series of inspections at several service stations located in Delmas, Tabarre, Pétion-Ville, and the second district of Port-au-Prince, to verify fuel availability on the market. These operations confirmed the actual presence of fuel at service stations, contrary to persistent rumors of an alleged shortage.

Furthermore, an inspection mission was carried out in three communes of the Northeast Department: Ouanaminthe, Fort-Liberté, and Trou-du-Nord, under the supervision of Lesly Théogène, Departmental Director of the Ministry for the Northeast, accompanied by Inspector Egains Joseph. In total, eleven service stations were visited, and the majority of those inspected had fuel. Only one service station, located in the commune of Ouanaminthe, was found to be out of gasoline.

According to the Ministry, this situation indicates an overall acceptable, albeit fragile, availability.

HL/ S/ HaitiLibre