When you 're running low on toilet paper and getting desperate , what do you do ? If you 're the Venezuelan government , you take over a toilet paper factory . On Saturday , Vice President Jorge Arreaza announced the `` temporary occupation '' of the Paper Manufacturing Company 's plant in the state of Aragua . The aim , he explained , is to review the `` production , marketing and distribution ( of ) toilet paper . '' `` The ... People 's Defense from the Economy will not allow hoarding or failures in the production and distribution of essential commodities , '' the vice president said . By the `` People 's Defense , '' Arreaza was referring to a government agency created on September 13 by President Nicolas Maduro to `` defeat the economic war that has been declared in the country , '' according to a report from state-run ATV . This group is charged with looking at inefficiencies across various industries in the nation , including foods and other products , and taking action presumably in the South American nation 's best interests . Toilet paper is very much a part of the war . The bathroom essential is one of the basic goods and foodstuffs that have been disappearing from store shelves since earlier this year . In Caracas , for instance , long lines are common whenever new rolls come in . As the amount of TP and other products , such as rice and cooking oil , have lagged , the blame game has picked up . Businesses and the political opposition say the shortages stem from ill-conceived government policies such as price controls on basic goods and tight restrictions on foreign currency . These moves make it so many producers ca n't even break even , they say . But the government has said private companies are n't doing their part , accusing them of hoarding their products in hopes of selling it later at a higher price . They 've also suggested the problem is tied to a broader conspiracy . `` There is no deficiency in production , '' Commerce Minister Alejandro Fleming said in May according to ATV , `` but an excessive demand generating purchases by a nervous population because of a media campaign . '' At that time , Fleming announced the country would import 50 million rolls of toilet paper to meet demand . Other hygiene products , such as toothpaste and soap , may be similarly brought in bulk for the same reason , the minister said . Scissors-wielding thieves attack women in Venezuela .
Venezuela occupies Paper Manufacturing Company 's plant in Aragua , vice president says . VP : Nation wo n't `` allow hoarding or failures in the production and distribution '' of essentials . Government accuses companies of hoarding , blames media for fanning fears . Private firms says ill-conceived price control , currency policies have stifled production .