Venezuelan government seizes warehouses owned by Pepsi-Polar

A process to seize the warehouses of Pepsi-Cerveza Polar in northern Vargas state was formally launched on Wednesday upon an inspection conducted by local authorities to ascertain the hoarding of products.

The information was disclosed by Vargas state solicitor Pedro Rodríguez, who said that the governor's office will request the warehouses of Pepsi-Cerveza Polar to be declared of public utility, which is the first step towards expropriation.

The plant's operations manager, Alejandro Simancas, said that the warehouses stored nothing but soft drinks, mineral water, and edible oil waiting for distribution to retailers. He also stressed that the plant will continue operations until a formal expropriation notice is given by the governor's office.