In Venezuela, Hugo Chávez the socialist, while going on a fool’s errand:
Mr. Chávez champions these ideas, which will take effect in January, as ways to combat inflation, which in recent weeks crept up to 20 percent, the highest in Latin America. Officials blame ”hoarders” for shortages of basic goods and price increases for food on the black market. Mr. Chávez says the renaming and redenominating the currency will instill confidence in it. [Venezuela to Give Currency New Name and Numbers, NYT, March 18 2007]
