CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is extending price controls and will place limits on profits as he extends attempts to curb the galloping inflation that is eroding support for his rule.
Maduro made the announcement in a late-night television address Sunday in which he also vowed to step up inspections of businesses selling shoes, clothing, automobiles and other goods to make sure they aren't gouging consumers.
"We can't just close the businesses; the owners have to go to jail," Maduro said in an impassioned speech in which he cited Jewish, Muslim and Christian texts to harangue businessmen he accuses of usury. "We can't allow our hard currency to be used to rob people through the sale of these goods."
Huge crowds of government loyalists and opponents formed outside appliance stores over the weekend after Maduro ordered the military to occupy the Daka chain of electronic stores and slash by more than half prices for washing machines, televisions and other white goods.
While soldiers with assault rifles were deployed to keep bargain hunters in check, at least one Daka store, in the country's third largest city of Valencia, was looted by unruly crowds, according to photos and videos posted online.
Maduro Sunday night urged Venezuelans to remain calm, saying that he won't allow the "parasitic bourgeoisie" to overcharge consumers ever again.
To that end, he vowed to place percentage limits on profit margins if congress approves a bill granting him special powers.
I read this and have been thinking about it on and off for most of the morning. My first take is that this guy is a maroon and is going to get strung up before long. Then it occurred to me that maybe he understands perfectly the situation that he is in. If he has no moral character and he's bold he is in the midst of first dividing the people into two groups, the ones who make life better for all Venezuelans and the ones who listen to speeches waiting for orders. Once they are divided and stirred up enough he will turn the guns on the bad guys which will earn him cheers and wailing gratitude from los pobres. Next he shovels the money and industry into his vaults and this is where it is important for him to give his most impassioned and fiery speeches. It is critical that los pobres be preoccupied, angry and ready for battle while he disappears the spoils. Lastly, the exit. This is difficult. He can't rule over the wreckage that will come after he's stolen everything so I think retiring as a champion of the poor would work or maybe if things get too hot, leaving Venezuela for Cuban beaches would also be smart.
If he's looking to relieve Venezuela of what's left of it's capacity to sustain it's people then what I've written above is a good framework for success. However, If he actually believes what he's saying in the above article then he's just an idiot.
KB |
