Inflation in Venezuela
The inflation in Venezuela has caused significant social turmoil. In September, after the toilet paper shortage, which was preceded by food shortages and electricity blackouts, an occupation of the Paper Manufacturing Company took place.
Troops were sent to monitor “fair” distribution of available stock. Earlier in November, President Nicolas Maduro jailed electronic vendors whom he accused of price-gouging, stating that this was only the beginning of what he was willing to do to protect his people. He has expanded this occupation to a variety of goods stores.
The inflation also led to the handing out of Christmas bonuses in November. While many saw this as political theater meant to sway people’s votes just prior to the December elections, it was thought necessary by some in a country with a 54% inflation rate. It is this climate that necessitates paychecks being distributed prior to prices having time to rise.
Like Chavez, Maduro has blamed speculators and the “parasitic bourgeoisie” however, his accusations will not be able to stop the collapse of the economy especially given the continued monetary expansion and debilitating price controls. Furthermore, his emergency measures might be too late given that Venezuela has been in steady economic decline since Hugo Chavez instituted his trademark socialism in Venezuela.
The nation has a massive social spending program, and when one combines this with costly prices and labor controls along with an ambitious foreign aid strategy, the oil revenues that have been keeping Venezuela afloat no longer seem to be enough.
– Mari Sahakyan
Sources: Wall Street Journal, Market Place, National Post, Market Oracle, Trading Economics