The association grouping petrol station owners reported an "unjustified" shortage of diesel fuel and blamed the government for the irregularities in the suppliers of fuels.

The organization also said sales have dropped at about 25 percent in 2009 from the previous year.

The remarks were made by Luis Malchidi, chairman of the Argentina Association of Fuel Suppliers in Buenos Aires.

"Diesel is not arriving at the petrol stations, especially during weekends. This is something that happens on regular basis, and the authorities should be blamed for the inconveniences," Malchidi told an interview on a local radio station.

"There is no justification for the shortage, as in the same periods of previous years supply was abundant," he added.