Amid military takeover of stores, Venezuela’s bishops lament corruption

November 20, 2013

As Venezuela’s struggling economy becomes even weaker, the Venezuelan Episcopal Conference denounced “usury, corruption, and speculation.”

The Associated Press reported that under the leadership of Socialist President Nicolás Maduro, who succeeded Hugo Chávez in April, “basic staples such as flour and vegetable oil have grown scarce throughout the country, the currency is plunging in a thriving black market, and inflation that’s already among the highest in the world is accelerating.” In an attempt to increase political support prior to municipal elections, President Maduro directed the military to take control of appliance stores and cut appliance prices.

Commenting on the decision, the bishops said in their November 15 statement that they were “concerned that many people, in a fit of euphoria, believe that with the purchase of some household appliances, they have solved some great problems that face them. It is also disturbing that this climate of euphoria could degenerate into violence and confrontation.”

 

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Further information:

• Comunicado De La Presidencia De La Conferencia Episcopal Venezolana (CEV)
• Venezuela appliances crackdown spurs uncertainty (AP)