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Chavez threat to seize food shops | |
(20 minutes later) | |
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez has threatened to nationalise stores that sell meat above a government-set price. | Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez has threatened to nationalise stores that sell meat above a government-set price. |
The government says supermarkets have been artificially boosting prices of basic foods by manipulating stockpiles. | The government says supermarkets have been artificially boosting prices of basic foods by manipulating stockpiles. |
But critics blame regular food shortages on prices imposed four years ago, forcing shops to sell at a loss. | But critics blame regular food shortages on prices imposed four years ago, forcing shops to sell at a loss. |
Many privately-owned supermarkets have suspended sales of beef, milk and sugar after one chain was temporarily closed for pricing meat above allowed levels. | Many privately-owned supermarkets have suspended sales of beef, milk and sugar after one chain was temporarily closed for pricing meat above allowed levels. |
The government has already seized goods that it says are being hoarded to drive up prices. | The government has already seized goods that it says are being hoarded to drive up prices. |
The products have been sold at government-run Mercal supermarkets, which sell staple foods at discount prices in poor areas, and at makeshift distribution centres. | The products have been sold at government-run Mercal supermarkets, which sell staple foods at discount prices in poor areas, and at makeshift distribution centres. |
'First excuse' | 'First excuse' |
Mercal stores are selling food seized by the authorities | |
President Chavez told a gathering of pensioners in the capital, Caracas, that he was waiting for the "first excuse" to take over privately-owned outlets that manipulate prices. | President Chavez told a gathering of pensioners in the capital, Caracas, that he was waiting for the "first excuse" to take over privately-owned outlets that manipulate prices. |
"If they insist on violating the interests of the people, the constitution and laws, I will take away the warehouses, the shops, I will take away the supermarkets and I'll nationalise them," he warned. | "If they insist on violating the interests of the people, the constitution and laws, I will take away the warehouses, the shops, I will take away the supermarkets and I'll nationalise them," he warned. |
He has stepped up his nationalisation programme since winning re-election in December. | He has stepped up his nationalisation programme since winning re-election in December. |
In recent weeks, he has bought stakes in electricity and television companies from US firms. | In recent weeks, he has bought stakes in electricity and television companies from US firms. |
Prices raised | |
Venezuela's inflation rate rose to a two-year high in January, with consumer prices rising 18.4% in 12 months. | |
Earlier this week, the government raised the prices it sets on staple foods, but retailers said they had not gone high enough to take account of their increased costs. | |
Some private companies are also concerned about President Chavez's intention to make them allow their employees time during the working day to study socialism. |
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