Venezuela has officially declared a state of emergency, giving the government wide-ranging powers to combat its deep economic crisis. The new decree allows the Venezuelan army to distribute and sell food.
The Caracas government published the new emergency measures in its official gazette on Monday, after President Nicolas Maduro extended the earlier “economic emergency” decree on Friday, Deutsche Welle reported.
Both emergency measures were declared over circumstances “that seriously affect” the economy and security of Venezuela, said the gazette.
Venezuela faces hyperinflation, recession and food and electricity shortages. The crumbling economy has prompted regime critics to launch a bid to oust Maduro.
However, the leftist president blames the US and other foreign countries of working against Venezuela, supported by the “bourgeoisie” and the “oligarchy” within the country.
