Roberto Méndez, the CEO of tire distribution company Neumen, openly acknowledged the practice of charging exorbitant prices during periods of stringent import restrictions in Argentina. He stated that during those times, businesses, including his own, took advantage of the situation, effectively 'stealing' from consumers by applying very high profit margins. This revelation was made during a streaming program, where Méndez suggested that the level of profit made by tire companies was unprecedented when they were allowed to operate without restrictions.

The implications of Méndez's comments were significant, especially as they arose amid ongoing controversies related to the impending shutdown of the Fate tire plant, which further ignited public discourse regarding corporate ethics and consumer rights in the country. President Javier Milei reacted strongly to Méndez's admissions, labeling the corporate practices as criminal and calling for accountability for what he described as exploitation of consumers during hard economic times.

This situation highlights the broader challenges facing Argentina's marketplace, where government policies, import restrictions, and corporate behavior intertwine to create complexities affecting consumers. The acknowledgment of unethical practices by a figure in the industry could lead to increased scrutiny on corporations, a reevaluation of import policies, and a demand for more regulatory oversight to protect consumers against excessive pricing practices, especially in essential sectors like tire distribution.