Zulia Governor inaugurates Mercal food center in Maracaibo

Zulia Governor Luis Caldera has inaugurated the Mercal Tipo 1 La Chamarreta food center in the Francisco Eugenio Bustamante parish, located in western Maracaibo. The facility is designed to serve more than 47,000 residents across 250 communal councils and 25 communes.

The reopening is part of the Venezuela Alimenta Hambre Cero 2026 plan, which utilizes a management model involving communal structures, local workers, and regional authorities. According to Governor Caldera, the center offers estimated savings of between 28% and 40% on various commercial goods.

The event included participation from Food Minister Carlos Leal Tellería and Mercal General Manager Massari Martínez. This inauguration marks the tenth distribution center recovered through recent efforts in the state, following similar rehabilitations in San Jacinto, San Felipe, Simón Bolívar, Lagunillas, and Casigua El Cubo.