In an open letter to justify 2022 inflation at 5.79%, above the government's target of 3.5% and the top 5% of its tolerance band, he said the inertia from 2021 inflation and higher commodity prices were important factors, also mentioning imbalances between demand and supply, shocks in food prices and recovery in services and employment.

(Reporting by Marcela Ayres; Editing by Chris Reese)