Socialism served with coffee

A state-run coffee shop chain has sprung up giving customers parallel price-lists to show them the wrongs of the free market and benefits of a state-controlled economy.

At one of the Cafe Venezuela shops on the corner of a historic square of central Caracas, the menu offers a large coffee at 2.5 bolivars ($0.58) on the “socialist price” list. The menu also has the “capitalist price” charged elsewhere – five bolivars. The idea is to provide Venezuelans with cut-price coffee and also promote the controversial left-wing politics of President Hugo Chavez’s government.

In his 12th year in power, the radical former soldier has called on the armed forces and parliament to embrace “extreme left” policies as he seeks to further radicalise a “revolution” that has already changed the face of Venezuela.
Subsidised food for the poor has been a major platform for Chavez, although with mixed success given shortages of some products and runaway prices in other sectors. While some supporters are balking at the pace of change in Venezuela, including widespread nationalisations, most at Cafe Venezuela on a recent sunny morning said they would be happy if it brought them more cheap coffee.

“This cafe is a symbol of a national policy that is doing away with exploitation of the poor,” said decorator Cristobal Isturiz, 70, savoring a brew with friends on the cafe terrace. “National coffee, at national prices. You can’t beat it.”