In Pilo Lil, a small community located 55 kilometers from Junín de los Andes in the province of Neuquén, a municipal meeting turned violent on a Friday afternoon, resulting in a physical altercation between Andrés Avelino Infante and his predecessor, Eliseo Díaz, according to local reporting.
Dispute Over a Municipal Vehicle Triggers a Confrontation
According to local reporting, the conflict began on a Thursday when Eliseo Díaz—who led the municipality for 12 years—asked current leader Andrés Avelino Infante for a municipal truck to transport bales of grass for his animals. Infante requested a formal written note to justify the expenditure, explaining that all departmental commissions in the province operate on fuel allocations that require official accounting. When Díaz returned on Friday to complete the transport, the agreement reportedly fell through, and Díaz interrupted a meeting at the Pilo Lil tourist lodge where Infante was present, according to LM Neuquén.
During the ensuing confrontation, which lasted for 20 minutes, LM Neuquén reported that Infante accused his predecessor of immediate aggression. Infante stated that Díaz shouted threats including, “Son of a bitch, I’m going to kill you, you’ve had it with me,” and attempted to escalate the fight by drawing a knife from his waistband. Belén Griselda Alfonso, the wife of the former official, denied the presence of any weapon in her interview with LM Neuquén. Alfonso asserted instead that Infante initiated the physical aggression and described the current commissioner as overbearing.
Did You Know? Pilo Lil is a small cordilleran community located 55 kilometers away from Junín de los Andes, where local administrative offices operate under provincial fuel contribution frameworks that require formal accounting for vehicle usage.
Investigation and Subsequent Intimidations
Following the physical altercation, the situation moved from the municipal offices to local law enforcement channels. According to accounts provided to LM Neuquén by Alfonso, Díaz attempted to file a formal complaint at the local detachment in Pilo Lil, but authorities refused to register it. Díaz then travelled toward Junín de los Andes, where police intercepted him en route and held him temporarily at Comisaría 25.
LM Neuquén noted that no official police statement regarding the altercation or judicial charges for threats and injuries had been released while Díaz remained in custody. Meanwhile, the Fiscalía de la IV Circunscripción has taken up the investigation. Authorities are reviewing a video of the incident—reportedly recorded by regional coordinator Eliana Rivera—alongside security camera footage near the local detachment that captured threats made as Díaz left the premises.
The conflict did not cease with the initial detention. Infante reported that hours after the fight concluded, the eldest son of Díaz arrived at the municipal office to issue further threats. In response to these ongoing intimidations, Infante filed a second police report and publicly laid responsibility upon the Díaz family for any future aggressions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the altercation take place?
The physical altercation occurred inside municipal offices and the tourist lodge in Pilo Lil, a community located 55 kilometers from Junín de los Andes in Neuquén province.
Who were the main individuals involved in the dispute?
The conflict involved the current leader of the municipality, Andrés Avelino Infante, and his predecessor, Eliseo Díaz, who governed the town for 12 years.
What triggered the physical fight between the officials?
According to local reports, the dispute started when Díaz requested a municipal truck to transport animal feed, and Infante asked for a formal written note to account for the fuel allocation.
How might this ongoing political feud affect administrative stability in Pilo Lil moving forward?
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