Chávez Government Seizes Coffee Companies

The Venezuelan Government of Hugo Chávez has seized control of the country's two largest coffee processors, Fama de America and Café Madrid. Agriculture Minister Elia Jaua has said that the move will last for 90 days, while officials investigate whether the companies circumnavigated government imposed price controls adding that if violations were found the government would consider nationalising the businesses. The move comes shortly after the coffee director of Venezuela's national agricultural federation (Fedeagro) revealed that the country may have to import coffee for the first time ever this year or face

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