Venezuela army deployed to control food production and distribution

Venezuela's military has taken control of five ports in an effort to guarantee supplies of food and medicine.

President Nicolas Maduro announced on state television that the ports of Guanta, La Guaira, Puerto Cabello, Maracaibo and Guamache would be controlled by the army.

In a decree, President Nicolas Maduro has ordered the army to monitor food processing plants, and co-ordinate the production and distribution of items.

President Nicolas Maduro created a government initiative called Great Mission of Sovereign Supplying, which will be headed by the country's Defence Minister, General Vladimir Padrino.

Among other things, it can establish how purchases and distribution of food, medicine and household goods are made.

Venezuela is going through a deep economic crisis despite having the world's largest oil reserves.
Basic products are increasingly hard to find and many say they struggle to feed their families.

President Nicolas Maduro says the measure is to fight the "economic war" he claims is being waged against his government by political foes and businessmen, with US backing.

But the opposition says the government has mismanaged the economy, and has called for a referendum to oust the president

What is behind the shortages?

• Venezuela grows and produces very little except oil and has historically relied on imports to feed its people
• Oil prices have plummeted leaving the government with a shortfall of income
• A lack of dollars means it is struggling to import all the goods its people need and want
• The socialist government introduced price controls on some basic goods in 2003 to make them affordable to the poor
• But up to 40% of subsidised goods were smuggled across to Colombia to be sold at a profit

   

Note

The oil-rich South American nation of 30 million faces a deep social, political & economic crisis. President Nicolas Maduro declared a state of emergency for 60 days in May 2016

 

The only thing that can help is a rise in global oil prices.