Caracas Chronicles

While the government is busy putting pressure on supermarkets and the media to “control” food shortages, what about those organized street vendors who sell scarce in the streets at three-times the controlled price?

Well, looks like they will be left alone for now. Says who? No other than CC’s old favorite Eduardo Samán, the head of the Venezuelan Consumer Protection Agency (INDEPABIS).

During a special inspection in one of Caracas main popular markets, Samán said this:

“Buhoneros are not guilty… why do people insist on attacking them? I’ll say it loud and clear: I’m not going to go after buhoneros, the revolutionary government won’t go after the people. We will talk to them and solve the problem that way…”

This outbreak of free-marketteering from Samán, of all people, rather surprised us: apparently INDEPABIS is willing to tolerate rational economic behaviour, but only by people who don’t invest, pay VAT or Income Tax, or follow LOTTT, or basic hygiene norms, or any other laws. ‘Mmmmmkay then.

During the very same tour, a couple of local customers told Samán that buhoneros are the only ones to access to scarce staples (like oil and harina PAN) and then sell them on for up to three-times their regulated price. He denied that and insisted that both the issue of buhoneros and the overall food shortage crisis will be solved soon. 

Funny that this inspection was just the first of a series called “friends of INDEPABIS”. With friends like that…