Venezuelan agricultural producers call for national protest

Agricultural producers in Venezuela are intensifying national protests, including a planned mobilization called ‘Toma de Caracas’ on October 8. The leadership of the Integración Nacional de Agroproductores de Venezuela reported that the domestic primary sector is facing a generalized crisis and widespread bankruptcy.

Producers cited several critical factors for the decline, including unfair competition from massive imports of corn and rice from Brazil, as well as the illegal smuggling of vegetables, citrus, and fruits from Colombia. They argue these illicit flows undermine national food sovereignty and invalidate the efforts of local farmers.

Due to a perceived lack of response from the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands and the Ministry of Commerce, the organization intends to seek technical and humanitarian support from international bodies, including the United Nations and the United States Senate. They also plan to contact Colombian representatives to seek dialogue regarding irregular border flows.