Government formalises fuel excise cuts months later

ORANJESTAD — Aruba’s government has formally enacted temporary petrol and diesel excise reductions months after their introduction. The decree was published on September 28 with retroactive effect from April 8, although the final period covered had already ended on August 11.

The measure aimed to limit the impact of exceptionally high international oil prices and protect the purchasing power of households and businesses.

The temporary rates varied across three periods. From April 8 to June 9, excise was 40.2 cents per litre of petrol and zero for diesel. From June 10 to July 7, the rates were 36.8 cents for petrol and 3.4 cents for diesel. From July 8 to August 11, they rose to 50 cents and 30 cents respectively.

According to the published information, the July adjustment followed falling international prices, allowing the government to withdraw part of the support without increasing pump prices.

The decree is dated September 18 and was published in Official Gazette 2026 number 30. It does not explain why formal enactment took place months after the rates were applied.