Evil capitalists conspire against coffee drinkers, Chavez to the rescue
According to the Venezuelan government, private owners have been wilfully withholding life-giving coffee from the people as part of a concerted effort to corner the market and overcome price ceilings set by the government. Thus it is with great regret etc., that the government must now step in and take control of the major players in the market. There are a couple of obvious flaws in this narrative, not least of all the coffee producers who point to declining crop production (not processing). Nonetheless, the government now controls both Fama de America and Cafe Madrid, and is even considering a (possibly mandatory) national coffee brand. Read more: Business Week, Venezuela Analysis
