Chavez's threat to nationalize beer producer brews outrage

Caracas - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is threatening to take over food company Empresas Polar, a company that makes the country's top beer, but it could be an unpopular move. Faced with inflation that reached 30 per cent last year and tumbling oil revenues, the socialist leader has stepped up confrontations with food businesses through state takeovers, new regulations and warnings he may nationalize Polar if it does not produce food at lower prices.

[sound familiar?]

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