Have you ever wondered where El Salvador gets its fuel? With all the news about conflicts in the Middle East and rising gas prices, it is a question many of us are asking. A recent report from La Prensa Gráfica sheds some light on this topic, and the answers might surprise you.
Even though El Salvador imports 100% of the fuel we use, most of it does not actually come from the Middle East. Let us take a closer look at our energy map and why global events still hit our wallets.
Where Does Our Fuel Really Come From?
In 2025, El Salvador spent about $2.39 billion on hydrocarbons. That is a massive part of our economy. However, our main suppliers are much closer to home than you might think. Here is the breakdown:
- The United States: This is our primary source, providing a staggering 86% of our fuel.
- Ecuador and Canada: These two countries each contribute about 2%.
- Other Partners: We also receive smaller amounts from Nigeria, Trinidad and Tobago, Panama, and Guatemala.
Why Do Middle East Tensions Still Matter?
If we get most of our gas from the U.S., why does a conflict in the Middle East cause gas prices to rise in San Salvador? The reason is that El Salvador is what economists call a “price taker.” This means we must follow global market prices.
Everything is connected. For example, the Strait of Hormuz handles about 20% of the world’s oil. When that area faces trouble, global supply drops and prices soar everywhere. Recently, we saw the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) price jump by nearly $10 in just one week. Since the U.S. follows these global trends, we feel the impact here too.
The Ripple Effect on Our Daily Lives
Unfortunately, higher gas prices affect more than just our cars. When fuel gets expensive, it costs more to transport food and goods. This leads to higher grocery prices and larger energy bills for our homes. It is a chain reaction that affects every family in the country.
This post is based on a report originally published in La Prensa Gráfica.
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