Argentina's capital reports highest inflation in 14 years

In this May 9, 2016 photo, Claudio Omar Gonzalez, 42, covers himself with a blanket as he waits with others for free food at a soup kitchen outside the government house in Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Gonzalez, who sells candy on the city's trains, says he struggles to buy the products he needs because prices keep going up. Inflation in April reached 6.5 percent, according to the Buenos Aires statistics office, the highest in 14 years. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) (The Associated Press)

In this Monday, May 9, 2016 photo, a man sits down to eat a free dinner at a soup kitchen outside the government house in Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Inflation in April reached 6.5 percent, according to the Buenos Aires statistics office, the highest in 14 years. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) (The Associated Press)

In this May 9, 2016 photo, people eat a free dinner at a soup kitchen outside the government house in Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Inflation in April reached 6.5 percent, according to the Buenos Aires statistics office, the highest in 14 years. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) (The Associated Press)

Inflation in Argentina's capital and main population center reached 6.5 percent in April, the biggest monthly price jump since the country's worst economic crisis 14 years ago.

Buenos Aires' rising consumer prices were announced Thursday. The main cause for the hike was the government's recent elimination of utilities subsidies in the metropolitan area that have led to sharp increases in everything from bus rides to light bills. The city says inflation in the first quarter was 19.2 percent.

The Buenos Aires inflation rate is being used as a reference while the new government of President Mauricio Macri revamps the questioned national statistics agency.

Macri came to power in December with promises to cut bloated spending, curb government deficits and tame one of the world's highest inflation rates.