Central Bank dollar reserves fell by US$321 million in August

The Central Bank’s gross international reserves in dollars decreased by more than US$321 million in August, falling from US$14,208.7 in July to US$13,887.6 in that month.

 The Central Bank publishes monthly levels of both Gross Reserves and Net Reserves, although the slight reduction in August has not been explained.

So far this year, the lowest levels of reserves were recorded in January, with US$12,613.4, and rose to US$15,058.2 in April, the highest level recorded so far in 2025.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) defines international reserves as external monetary resources that are readily available and under the control of the monetary authority.

Those reserves also serve to finance balance of payments imbalances, offsetting the difference between income and capital outflows.

Also to regulate the foreign exchange market through interventions, by injecting foreign currency into the economy, for external debt payments, and to maintain confidence that the government has resources to meet its debt obligations.

It is recalled that the Monetary Board approved on March 24 of this 2025, to take effect on May 1, to cap dollar loans for non-foreign exchange generators, amid a shortage of the US currency in the country, while external economists recommended a massive injection of dollars into the market by the entity.

Currently, the Central Bank is facing an excessive and constant rise in the price of the dollar, which worries economic sectors and the general population.

Last week, the dollar rate reached a price of over 64 pesos per one in the main financial institutions of the country, which generated alarm.