The Venezuelan public prosecutor formally charged two businessmen with the Dia Dia supermarket chain Tuesday, as a result of an investigation by state authorities who allege they were hoarding essential goods.
Manuel Andres Morales Ordosgoitti and Tadeo Arrieche Franco were charged with boycotting and economic destabilization, two crimes that are specified under the Just Prices Law passed by the Venezuelan National Assembly.
In early February, 2015 a warehouse belonging to the Dia Dia chain was found to have tons of essential items allegedly being hoarded.
Morales and Arrieche were detained shortly thereafter, and are currently being held under preventative detention. In a press conference held shortly after the arrests, a spokesperson for the company denied they were running afoul of the law.
Dia Diaowns35supermarketsthroughoutVenezuela whichareprimarilylocatedinlow-incomeareas.
Venezuela’s government has been criticizing private sector interests, saying that a number of businesses are participating in an “economic war” aimed at destabilizing the democratically-elected government through producing shortages.
The Bolivarian government of Nicolas Maduro has been working to respond to deliberate hoarding by certain businesses and artificially reducing the availability of essential goods. The government also accuses the opposition of colluding with business owners as part of a campaign to destabilize the government.