Minister of Economy Luis Caputo intensified his clash with the administration of Federico Achával, the mayor of Pilar, Buenos Aires province, following the approval of a new tax that increases prices in supermarkets. On Monday, in a forceful message on social media, he explicitly called on citizens: "Don't buy anything in Pilar. Don't endorse the irresponsible actions of your mayor." According to Caputo, this measure represents a step back that makes consumption more expensive, erodes purchasing power and contradicts the government's goals of preserving competitiveness. Caputo's reaction was not limited to the boycott call: he backed a statement from the United Supermarkets Association (ASU), which demands an urgent meeting with the local Secretariat of Finance and warns of the "serious harm" to consumers and businesses. The conflict is part of a broader tension between the national executive, which advocates for tax cuts to reactivate the economy, and several municipal governments that are applying new local tax charges. The case of Pilar could set a precedent for other municipalities in Buenos Aires province and the country that are considering similar charges.
