Economic crisis means tough start to 2018 for Venezuelans

Luis Briceno built up a small bottle branding business over the last 25 years but in the maelstrom of Venezuela's economic crisis he and many like him are facing closure. This New Year is criminal," he said reflecting the anguish of millions of Venezuelans facing acute shortages sparked by falling oil prices, political unrest and corruption. Socialist President Nicolas Maduro last week decreed a 40 percent increase in the minimum wage to try to contain the crisis after food protests broke out in several cities. But Briceno believes it will only complicate things for his and other small businesses. More…