The president of state oil refinery Refidomsa, Amaury Justo Duarte, warned that fuel prices would be increased at the weekend as a result of global oil price rises and the fall of the peso against the US dollar. A barrel of crude has gone up by 4.5% to US$33.28, while the dollar-peso rate now stands between RD$41 and RD$42. In addition, the government imposes a tax rate of RD$18 on premium gasoline, RD$15 on regular and RD$5 on diesel. Yesterday afternoon, there were reports that suppliers were rationing diesel (“gasoil”), provoking speculation there was a shortage of this fuel. This rumor was denied, however, by the authorities. Diario Libre’s main editorial is critical of “gas-guzzling” luxury vehicles, saying their owners should be subject to higher import duties and license plate fees. In contrast, what are described as “utilitarian” vehicles should be kept more affordable, says the opinion piece. “It has reached the point where owning a vehicle, however modest and old, implies impossible privileges.” Taxing these vehicles is an unacceptable burden for the already beleaguered middle class, concludes the writer.