Venezuelan military takes over food distribution
July 13, 2016
The Venezuelan military began to take control over food distribution on Tuesday in a desperate government bid to control shortages of basic food and staple goods that threaten to unleash social instability in the oil-rich country.
President Nicolas Maduro issued the decree creating a new Supply Command under broad economic emergency powers that bypass the opposition-controlled Congress seeking to recall him over mismanagement.
Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, who is in charge of the new body, said the move was "a matter of the nation's security and defense."
The decree gives the military power to force private enterprises to sell goods.
"We have taken some ports and have started to go to some silos, warehouses, and public and private businesses," Padrino said.
Maduro said Monday the program would end the practice of corrupt officials diverting of food deliveries to people who then resell it on the black market.
A combination of low oil prices, mismanagement and currency and price controls have led to triple-digit inflation and a shortage of almost everything in the country.
Nine out of 10 Venezuelans now say they are unable to buy enough to eat as supply shortages drive up prices, according to a study by Simon Bolivar University. The average Venezuelan waits 35 hours a month in long lines to buy subsidized food.
Riots and violence over shortages are on the rise, threatening social stability.
Maduro has blamed the country's multiple crises on an "economic war" and sabotage by the opposition and the United States.
The opposition blames Maduro's socialist policies for the country becoming an economic basket case.
cw/kl (AFP, AP, Reuters)