Speculation in and around Caracas have led to the widespread perception of a serious food shortage in Venezuela, however the government has moved to combat this perception and the resultant shocks to the economy by launching a wave of inspections to prevent artificial spikes in the prices of what are deemed essential foods. This action has already uncovered many thousands of tons of hoarded goods.

Authorities launched a control operation today throughout Caracas, as part of measures to fight against price speculation.

Consuelo Cerrada, president of the Institute for the Defense of People's Access to Goods and Services (Indepabis) said multidisciplinary teams are involved in these actions.

For this purpose, groups were organized which include officials from the National Guard and the Municipal Guard, and customs and price control authorities, among others.

Cerrada said the aim was to determine the behavior of inventories in warehouses and shopping centers, and sales values for various items.

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