CARACAS, (Reuters) – Governors in three Venezuelan states have banned nighttime queuing as huge lines continue to snake around shops across the scarcity-plagued OPEC nation.
Shortages of basic products from milk to toilet paper have worsened since a lull in distribution over the Christmas holidays, prompting many Venezuelans to wait from the early hours on pavements – or in hammocks – before shops open.
The ubiquitous lines and frequent jostling for places when doors open are an embarrassment and irritation to many Venezuelans across the political spectrum.
There have also been scattered protests and arrests.
“We are going to prohibit queues outside commercial establishments,” Falcon state governor Stella Lugo said late on Tuesday. “Security forces have been instructed.”
She joined two other governors, in Bolivar and Yaracuy, who have announced the same measure in recent days. Zulia state authorities are also considering it.
“Nighttime queues are dangerous for the people,” Bolivar governor Francisco Rangel said.
In some places, authorities are also limiting access to shops to certain days according to the consumers’ identity card numbers.
The shortages have hurt President Nicolas Maduro’s popularity which, according to local pollster Datanalisis, hit 22 percent in December.
Foes say 15 years of socialism under him and predecessor Hugo Chavez are to blame for Venezuela’s economic recession, the highest inflation in the Americas, and shortages.
But Maduro, 52, who won election to replace Chavez last year, says a wealthy elite and opposition activists encouraged by Washington and foreign media are carrying out an “economic war” involving hoarding and price-gouging.
“It’s a strategy to try and upset the people and turn them to extremes, to destabilize the country,” Maduro told the Telesur TV network late on Tuesday from Algeria. “But the people are defeating it in the street, and the government is working in the street.”
Maduro and his closest ministers have been visiting China, Russia and other oil-producing countries to seek financing plus OPEC action on tumbling crude prices that have exacerbated oil-dependent Venezuela’s economic malaise.
In his absence, Venezuela’s opposition leaders have been seeking to overcome internal differences and forge a joint strategy against Maduro. Former presidential candidate Henrique Capriles has joined calls from more-radical opposition leaders for rallies against the economic problems.
“Mobilizations yes, but violent protests no,” he said.
Violence at protests last year caused the deaths of 43 people, including demonstrators, government supporters and security forces.
