Venezuela Military Trafficking Food as Country Goes Hungry

[Bacchus4.0]

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/venezuela-military-trafficking-food-country-hungry-44425779

When hunger drew tens of thousands of Venezuelans to the streets in protest last summer, President Nicolas Maduro turned to the military to manage the country's diminished food supply, putting generals in charge of everything from butter to rice.

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With much of the country on the verge of starvation and billions of dollars at stake, food trafficking has become one of the biggest businesses in Venezuela, the AP found. And from generals to foot soldiers, the military is at the heart of the graft, according to documents and interviews with more than 60 officials, business owners and workers, including five former generals.

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"Lately, food is a better business than drugs," said retired Gen. Cliver Alcala, who helped oversee Venezuela's border security. "The military is in charge of food management now, and they're not going to just take that on without getting their cut."

"WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?"

After opposition attempts to overthrow him, the late President Hugo Chavez began handing the military control over the food industry, creating a Food Ministry in 2004. His socialist-run government nationalized farms and food processing plants, then neglected them, and domestic production dried up. Oil-exporting Venezuela became dependent on food imports, but when the price of oil collapsed in 2014, the government no longer could afford all the country needed.

[Marksman_91]

1. When the government itself is involved in drug trafficking (look up Maduro's "narcosobrinos")...

is it really surprising to see the military involved in this kind of behavior? Hell, they're the ones who actually assist the PSUV party leaders in the drug trafficking itself, most notably Diosdado Cabello.

[Bacchus4.0]

2. Its an interesting article. Keep the military happy is the overall goal nt