Mexico’s President Says Gasoline Prices Won’t Rise in 2026

Mexico City, Mexico — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo has reiterated her commitment to not increase the price of regular gasoline during 2026, clarifying that the inflationary adjustment to the Special Tax on Production and Services (IEPS) will not translate into a price hike for consumers.

During her morning press conference, the president denied versions that indicated a supposed increase starting in January and assured that this is false information.

Sheinbaum explained that the federal government will not stop collecting taxes, but rather the impact of the IEPS was absorbed through a voluntary agreement with the gasoline sector, whose main objective is to protect family economies and avoid inflationary pressures on one of the most used supplies by the population.

Voluntary Agreement with Gas Stations Prevents Increases in 2026

The president detailed that, at the beginning of her administration, she detected regular gasoline prices of up to 26 and 27 pesos per liter in some regions of the country.

Faced with this situation, she ordered a comprehensive technical analysis by the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Energy, Pemex, and Profeco to review the real profit margins of service stations.

The study revealed that some gas stations operated with margins of up to three pesos per liter, which allowed for an agreement with the sector so that regular gasoline does not exceed 24 pesos per liter.

Currently, she noted, 98 percent of the country’s gas stations comply with this commitment, except for some exceptions in specific regions of the southeast, where transportation costs influence the final price.

The IEPS Will Not Impact Consumer Prices

Sheinbaum emphasized that the adjustment to the IEPS corresponding to inflation will not affect the price of regular gasoline, thanks to this agreement. In this sense, she rejected the narrative that the tax increase will automatically be passed on to the final consumer.

“It is false that gasoline will increase in January,” stated the president, insisting that the commitment with gas stations remains in effect and will be maintained during 2026, with periodic reviews to ensure compliance.

Measures in Exchange for the Agreement

As part of the agreement, the federal government agreed to a significant reduction in administrative procedures that gas stations had to perform each year, without putting civil protection or environmental standards at risk. This regulatory simplification was key to achieving consensus with the sector.

Sheinbaum highlighted that this model of voluntary agreements has been a constant in her government, along with the increase in the minimum wage, the discussion about the 40-hour work week, and other economic and social pacts.

Regular Gasoline, Priority for Families

The president reiterated that the agreement focuses on regular gasoline because it is what most Mexican families use. In the case of Premium gasoline, she explained that it is not directly part of the agreement, although dialogue with gas stations remains open.

Finally, Sheinbaum affirmed that the price of regular gasoline has not only not increased, but has even decreased in some regions, so she called on the population to have confidence that there will be no increases in 2026 and that energy policy will continue to focus on protecting purchasing power.