Last month, Venezuela arrested four bakers for making illegal brownies and other pastries as President Nicolás Maduro’s socialist government threatens to take over bakeries in Caracas as part of a new “bread war”.
Maduro sent out inspectors and soldiers into more than 700 bakeries around the capital to enforce a rule that 90% of wheat must be destined to loaves rather than more expensive pastries and cakes.
It was the latest move by the government to combat shortages and long lines for basic products that have characterized Venezuela’s economic crisis over the last three years. Breadmakers blame the government for a national shortage of wheat, saying 80% of establishments have none left in stock.
During the inspections, two men were arrested and accused of using too much wheat in sweet bread, ham-filled croissants and other products, the government said in a statement sent to media.
Another two were detained for making brownies with out-of-date wheat, the statement added, saying at least one bakery had been temporarily taken over by authorities for 90 days.
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