WILLEMSTAD – Partido Nashonal di Pueblo (PNP) Member of Parliament Sheldry Osepa has formally requested clarification from Finance Minister Charles Cooper regarding the recent sharp increase in gasoline and diesel prices on Curaçao.
In a written submission to Parliament, Osepa presented a total of 41 questions concerning the fuel price hikes, the role of taxation, and possible government compensation measures for residents.
According to Osepa, the Pisas administration raised fuel prices “drastically” by 34 cents at a time when many households are already struggling financially due to rising living costs.
The parliamentarian referred to a temporary national ordinance introduced in 2022 that allowed the government to soften the impact of high fuel prices by temporarily lowering taxes.
Osepa questioned why the government is not using the same legal mechanism again to reduce pressure on consumers.
According to the opposition MP, temporary reductions in turnover tax and excise duties could have helped prevent fuel prices from rising so sharply.
The PNP lawmaker is also demanding transparency about the government’s financial gains from the increase.
Among other things, he wants to know how much additional revenue the government expects to collect through higher excise duties and sales taxes on fuel.
The questions also seek clarification about what studies or economic analyses the government carried out before implementing the price increases.
Osepa further asked what impact the cabinet expects the measure to have on inflation, purchasing power, and poverty levels on the island.
The parliamentarian additionally raised concerns about middle-income families and small businesses, which he says are being heavily affected by rising fuel costs.
He also wants the government to explain what support measures are being considered for groups that fall outside existing compensation programs.
The issue of fuel prices remains politically sensitive on Curaçao because increases quickly affect transportation costs, electricity prices, food distribution, and the overall cost of living.