Latin America fuel watch

El Salvador's legislature has approved a decree to ban the import and sale of fuel with high sulfur content, principally diesel for vehicular use.

The measure falls in line with a resolution from the Central America economic integration council of ministers (Comieco) that caps sulfur content for imported fuel at 500ppm.

Comieco has granted El Salvador until April 27 next year to implement the required changes, which will be carried out by the economy ministry's hydrocarbons and mines department.

The ministry said that diesel accounts for approximately 50% of fuel use in the country, but 94% of diesel imported this year was low sulfur.

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Paraguayan lower house member Arnaldo Samaniego met with environment and sustainable development minister Ariel Oviedo, representatives of the industry and trade, and finance ministries, and delegates of the country's biodiesel chamber to discuss the alternative fuel.

Samaniego recently introduced a bill to promote the biofuel's production and use.

The initiative stipulates a 15% biodiesel mix starting in 2021 and fiscal incentives for production of the fuel.