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Original article: Bencinazo presiona la inflaci\u00f3n: Banco Central la revisa al alza y la ve en 4%<\/a><\/p>\n The Central Bank has revised its inflation forecast upward, anticipating a Consumer Price Index (CPI) of 4% for the second quarter of 2026. In the Monetary Policy Report (IPoM) published this Tuesday, it highlighted that this increase will be driven by the historic rise in fuel prices<\/a> in Chile.<\/p>\n According to the institution, while the December 2025 IPoM projected an annual inflation rate of 3.2%, this has now been raised to 4.0%.<\/p>\n The central bank warned that the ongoing conflict between the United States and Israel against Iran has \u00abconsiderably\u00bb increased external fuel prices and added a high degree of uncertainty to both global and local economic perspectives, \u00abfollowing a more robust external momentum observed at the beginning of the year.\u00bb<\/p>\n Based on the financial institution\u2019s analysis, considering the statistical close-out information, \u00abin the central scenario, inflation is expected to see a significant increase in the second quarter mainly associated with rising international fuel prices.\u00bb<\/p>\n \u00abFor total inflation, revisions are concentrated in the short term, mainly linked to the impact of war on international fuel prices. This results in a significant inflation increase, expected to hover around 4% annually starting in the second quarter,\u00bb the Central Bank stated in its projections.<\/p>\n The issuing authority noted that the increase in fuel prices, termed \u00abbencinazo,\u00bb which was recently announced by the government of Jos\u00e9 Antonio Kast, will exert upward pressure on inflation.<\/p>\n \u00abThis scenario incorporates the local fuel price hikes announced on Monday, March 23,\u00bb it stated in the March IPoM.<\/p>\n According to the Ministry of Finance, the increase\u2014expected to reach $370 per liter for 93-octane gasoline and up to $580 for diesel\u2014will take effect this Thursday, following the activation of the Fuel Price Stabilization Mechanism (MEPCO).<\/p>\n This increase means that filling a 48-liter tank with 93-octane gasoline could cost an additional $17,000, while fully fueling a truck with an 80-liter diesel tank would increase costs by $46,000.<\/p>\nRising Fuel Prices Drive Inflation<\/span><\/h3>\n