Economy
Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez on Tuesday ordered expropriation of a rice plant owned by US food giant Cargill because it was not producing rice that is subject to government price controls.

"Start the process to expropriate Cargill," he admonished.

In addition, during a contact with state-run channel Venezolana de Televisión (VTV), the president asked for a court investigation due to flagrant violation of the law.

It was not clear whether the move will affect all the corporate operations but only the rice processing plant.

Venezuelan authorities inspected Cristal plant in Portuguesa state, western Venezuela, and found that it was violating laws requiring production of price-controlled foods, Chávez said in comments broadcast by state television.

Besides, Chávez called agro-businessmen "liars" and threatened food company Polar businessmen to expropriate them everything, if the government decides to do it.

Minister of Agriculture and Lanas Elías Jaua explained that at the beginning the provisional occupation by state authorities will apply. Later, a decree on expropriation will be drafted and endorsed by the National Assembly.

Translated by Conchita Delgado

Angie Contreras C.
EL UNIVERSAL