Port-au-Prince, Haiti – March 28, 2026: A wave of consumer anxiety has swept across Haiti, manifesting in lengthy queues at service stations and a resurgence in the use of jerrycans amid intensifying rumors of imminent fuel shortages and price surges. In a decisive response, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has moved to quell the panic and enforce distribution laws.
Minister James Monazard issued an official statement categorically denying the existence of a national fuel crisis. ‘No fuel shortage has been observed on the national market,’ the Minister asserted, confirming that petroleum products remain available at official pumps with distribution secured through formally authorized channels.
The Ministry has enacted a strict prohibition on the sale of fuel outside these legal channels, specifically targeting unauthorized containers like jerrycans. The decree warns that any individuals or entities engaged in such illegal sales will face immediate enforcement actions, including product seizure, closure of offending outlets, and legal prosecution under Haitian law. Relevant authorities, including inspection services and law enforcement agencies, have been instructed to apply a zero-tolerance policy.
To substantiate its claims and directly counter public rumors, the Ministry conducted a series of inspections on Saturday, March 28th. Teams visited multiple service stations in key areas including Delmas, Tabarre, Pétion-Ville, and the second district of Port-au-Prince. These operations verified the actual presence of fuel, contradicting widespread allegations of a shortage.
A parallel inspection mission was executed in the Northeast Department, covering the communes of Ouanaminthe, Fort-Liberté, and Trou-du-Nord. Under the supervision of Departmental Director Lesly Théogène and Inspector Egains Joseph, eleven stations were assessed. The survey revealed that the vast majority were adequately stocked; only a single station in Ouanaminthe was found to be out of gasoline. The Ministry acknowledges that while availability is overall acceptable, the situation remains fragile.
The government is urging public cooperation, encouraging citizens to report any illegal fuel practices to the authorities to help stabilize the market and prevent unnecessary panic.