Lula criticizes states and private intermediaries for fuel price increases.
"The people need to know who the 'son of a bitch' is who does this," the president said regarding the fuel price hike.
247 - President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) stated this Monday (17) that the rise in fuel prices is not the fault of the federal government, but rather of the states and private intermediaries. According to Lula, gasoline is being sold to consumers for double the price it costs when it leaves Petrobras.
“The government and Petrobras are to blame for the price increase, but many times Petrobras is not at fault at all. Gasoline leaves Petrobras at 3,04 cents and at the pump it is sold for double what it leaves Petrobras. But people think it was Petrobras that increased the price, and that's not always the case, because each state and each gas station has the opportunity to increase the price as much as they want,” he explained.
According to the president, the gas situation is even more serious. “Regarding gas, it’s more serious. A gas cylinder costs 35 reais, but it reaches 140 reais when it’s delivered to the state. The people need to know who the ‘son of a bitch’ is who does this,” he criticized.
Finally, Lula criticized private intermediaries and said he felt "offended" by the privatization of BR Distribuidora. "Petrobras needs to sell diesel, gasoline, and gas directly to large consumers to lower prices. The people are being robbed by the intermediary. I felt so offended when they privatized BR Distribuidora. Who won? Petrobras, the people? No. Those who bought, and very cheaply, won," he stated.
