Venezuela's socialist plan is based on central planning

Manuel Barroso, the president of the Foreign Exchange Administration Board (Cadivi), sent a clear message. Government guidelines are closely tied to the Economic and Social Development Plan 2007-2013, which sets the State priorities. The goal of the plan is to achieve a society in which the State decides everything through central planning.

Roberto Casanova, the academic director of NGO Liderazgo y Visión, said that the measures announced by Barroso to eliminate the authorization of foreign exchange for primary and secondary studies show the real content of the government platform, and it has nothing to do with foreign currency. "The State intends to know better than anyone what we need most," the economist said.

He added that examples of central planning can be seen in the government management of imports and production. "The government has all the tools to subtly set consumption patterns. People themselves are rationing" their consumption of essential items.