Queues outside Venezuelan supermarkets amid shortages

Venezuelans have been queuing in front of supermarkets to buy basic food items. Shortages are being reported across the country, as falling oil prices slash the country’s national income. And restrictions are now being imposed, with customers ordered to only shop on certain days. Maria Jose Useche, an 18-year-old mother, was one of those in line. “They had disposable nappies, and that’s why I came, but there are none now,” she said. “The only thing left is soap, if I can I’ll buy some soap. Sometimes there’s nothing and I leave empty-handed. Sometimes I queue in this line for nothing.” The limits on shopping have been imposed by state-owned supermarkets, but many complain it is going to be impossible to manage. Cook Juan Gonzalez said: “I can’t shop on the day allocated to me. I have other obligations, and I can’t put those off to go shopping for food.” With inflation hitting 65 per cent last year, the president, Nicolas Maduro, is attempting to seek overseas financing.