There are four possibilities.
One, they are ignorant of basic economics. This is quite possible since anyone of reasonable intelligence should be able to understand the simple laws of supply and demand.
Two, they are aware of basic economics but are pandering for votes. They appeal to the ignorant. The desire for power causes them to lie.
Three, their ideology blinds them to the facts.
Four, a combination of the first three.
In any case, they are not acting in the interest of the nation.
You are correct on all of the above.
One reason I give Pope Francis a bit of a pass is that in my experience, every Argentine learned his economic theory off the back of a Cracker Jack box.