The Panamanian government clarified that the mandatory blending of bioethanol with gasoline is not a result of the bill currently being discussed in the National Assembly, but rather a provision previously established in Panamanian law from 2023 and 2024. In an official communication dated March 30, 2026, it was specified that the implementation of this blend was set to begin on April 1, 2026. However, Resolution No. MIPRE-2026-0010986, published in the Official Gazette, postpones its application because bioethanol-blended gasoline will not be available in the country by that date. Authorities emphasized that this decision is not a new measure and does not respond to the bill currently being debated in the Legislative Branch, marking a clear distinction between the two processes. Regarding the bill under discussion, the Executive branch explained that its purpose is to update the existing regulatory framework, so that if approved, its implementation would be carried out within a period of up to 24 months. This period would allow for the necessary technical, logistical, and quality conditions to be ensured for its proper execution. With this announcement, the government seeks to clear up doubts about the relationship between existing regulations and the current legislative proposal, amidst a topic that continues to generate attention in various sectors of the country.
