FX.co ★ Venezuela seizes toilet paper plant

As a result of an undercover operation, which was planned thoroughly by Venezuela’s intelligence agency, the country’s government managed to impose control over the strategic target. Thanks to coherent actions of the national guard during the losing fight the government forces managed to seize up the toilet paper plant. The factory belongs to paper producer Manpa. The major task was set by President Nicolas Maduro, to eliminate the shortage and ensure steady a supply of toilet paper, sanitary napkins, and disposable diapers. The Minister of Trade, Alexander Fleming, said the factory occupation complied with Venezuelan law. The shortage of basic consumer goods sharpened in early May this year. The country lacks toilet paper, deodorants, diapers, milk, herring, butter, and coffee. The government explained the shortage as “the liberals’ actions”, which created panic in the mass media. Maduro allocated multi-million loans to tackle the deficit. On the contrary, independent observers explain the scarcity was triggered by Caracas politics, which artificially lowered the prices of basic commodities.