Post date: May 18, 2013 11:19:44 AM
New supplies of toilet paper hit shelves in Venezuela with consumers snapping up rolls amid nationwide shortage.
CARACAS, VENEZUELA (MAY 17, 2013) (REUTERS) - Venezuelans who feared they might be caught short by a sudden lack of toilet paper across the nation rushed to stores on Friday (May 17) as new shipments hit the shelves.
Blaming political opponents for the shortfall, the embattled socialist government earlier this week announced it would import 50 million rolls to help bridge the shortfall.
At one store in Caracas, customers were limited to four packs of toilet paper to ensure there was enough to go around.Other goods have also been in short supply in Venezuela in recent months, including milk, butter, coffee and cornmeal.
Consumers said the shortage of toilet paper was "shameful".
"We've always been a rich country. We've never had to go through this. It's the first time in Venezuelan history that we're in this situation. It's shameful. It's a very sad situation, all of us fighting for products that should be at everyone's reach, that are basic, for a country as rich as this one," said shopper Yenny Caballero.
Economists say Venezuela's shortages stem from price controls meant to make basic goods available to the poorest parts of society and to the government's controls on foreign currency needed to pay for imports. The government claims anti-government forces including the private sector are causing the shortages to destabilise the country.
While shoppers welcomed the arrival of the new supplies of toilet paper, there was also anger.
"This is a miracle, a miracle that we have (toilet) paper. This is horrible, horrible," said Yolanda Perez.
Another shopper said the shortage was a sign of Venezuela's failing infrastructure.
"They've done industry in and now we have to import. This can't be. This is a war economy: to do in industry, have us all import and they all get rich," said Chiquinquira Almeron.