Reply #39: Venezuela troops to block food smuggling to Colombia [View All]

Venezuela troops to block food smuggling to Colombia
Tue Jan 22, 2008 10:26pm GMT

CARACAS, Jan 22 (Reuters) - Venezuela has sent 1,200 troops to the border with Colombia to prevent food from being smuggled out of the country, a Venezuelan general said, the latest step in President Hugo Chavez's campaign to stem food shortages.

Gen. Luis Motta said on Tuesday said the movements were not meant to be seen as military operation against Colombia, despite continued diplomatic tension between the two countries.

"The border with Colombia has been reinforced with 1,200 National Guard troops to prevent the illegal removal of food to the neighboring country," Motta told state news agency ABN late on Monday.

Price controls, which businesses say have caused the shortage, make it profitable to buy products in Venezuela at regulated prices and resell them in Colombia.

But Chavez says increased demand on the part of the poor combined with smuggling and hoarding by unscrupulous businesses are to blame for the problem.

More:
http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKN2255355320080122