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Chávez Seizes US Cargill Plant

Venezuela naionalizes rice mill amid food shortages

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 5, 2009 4:52 AM CST

(Newser) – Hugo Chávez yesterday took control of the Venezuelan plant of the American food company Cargill, restarting a drive toward nationalization as the country's oil revenues plummet. Reuters reports that the government seized a rice plant run by Cargill, claiming that mills are deliberately producing small amounts of rice in order to keep prices high. Takeovers by Chávez have distorted the market and contribute to food shortages, economists charge. Cargill officials are working to resolve the issue.

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez sings the national anthem during a ceremony in Caracas last month.
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez sings the national anthem during a ceremony in Caracas last month.   (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
Venezuela nationalized an arm of Cargill, one of America's largest corporations, claiming it was distorting the price of rice.
Venezuela nationalized an arm of Cargill, one of America's largest corporations, claiming it was distorting the price of rice.   (©babbagecabbage)
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez holds a national flag during a farewell ceremony to the crew of the sailboat Simon Bolivar at L aGuaira port near Caracas last month.
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez holds a national flag during a farewell ceremony to the crew of the sailboat "Simon Bolivar" at L aGuaira port near Caracas last month.   (AP Photo/Miraflores Press Office, Juan Carlos Solorzano)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
riffran
Mar 5, 2009 10:08 PM CST
wellllllllll, dance with the devil......to bad cargill......price of doing business in an unstable environ

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