Authoritarian Socialism: Venezuelan Dictator Takes Over Private Toilet Paper Factory

Maduro TP Venezuela

Yesterday, the Venezuelan government took over a private toilet paper factory.  Continuing in the footsteps of the previous banana republic dictator, current president Nicolas Maduro reasoned the takeover was necessary for the good of the country.  Heavily restricted by state regulations, and price and currency exchange controls, the toilet paper manufacturer could not offset the government’s artificial restraints to keep up with demand.  Instead of fixing the source of the problem, government constraint of the free market, Maduro would rather plunder private industry.

According to Yahoo News,

CARACAS (Reuters) – A Venezuelan state agency on Friday ordered the temporary takeover of a factory that produces toilet paper in what it called an effort to ensure consistent supplies after embarrassing shortages earlier this year.

Critics of President Nicolas Maduro say the nagging shortages of products ranging from bathroom tissue to milk are a sign his socialist government’s rigid price and currency controls are failing. They have also used the situation to poke fun at his administration on social media networks.

A national agency called Sundecop, which enforces price controls, said in a statement it would occupy one of the factories belonging to paper producer Manpa for 15 days, adding that National Guard troops would “safeguard” the facility.

“The action in the producer of toilet paper, sanitary napkins and disposable diapers responds to the state’s obligation to ensure a steady supply of basic goods for the people,” Sundecop said, adding it had observed “the violation of the right” to access such products. …

Critics say the shortages of consumer goods are caused by businesses’ inability to import raw materials and machinery because of a shortage of hard currency under the exchange controls.

The Authoritarian Socialist government has assured its people that the takeover is only temporary.  Just like Obama’s takeover of GMover four years ago.

Previously, in the news:

 

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