29.08.2014 - Falling Oil Prices Could Force Venezuela to Veer off the Chávez Formula
Venezuela’s embattled Nicolás Maduro has spent most of his 19-month presidency fighting to avoid changing any of the economic policies he inherited from his predecessor, the late Hugo Chávez. Maduro has repeatedly told his countrymen that Chávez’s socialist blueprint is working in spite of mounting shortages, soaring inflation, and two maxi-devaluations in the past two years. Now falling oil prices may force his hand. The price of Venezuela’s benchmark basket of crude and petroleum products fell on Aug. 22 to $90.89, a two-year low. Since the end of last month, the price has fallen 10 percent, tracking a surprising drop in international prices in spite of Mideast tensions...............................................Full Article: Source
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