Venezuela is moving to nationalize the companies that operate some of its main ports, Reuters reported Thursday.
The move, which was first announced in March, is the latest step by socialist President Hugo Chavez to put key areas of the economy in state hands.
It would directly affect DP World’s container terminal at Puerto Cabello, the country’s chief container port about 50 miles west of Caracas.
The affected ports receive many of the imports that Venezuela depends on, but do not handle vital oil shipping from the OPEC nation.
Authorities are revising the contracts of the port operators, the government's official gazette said on Thursday, and Public Works Minister Diosdado Cabello said the state would take control.
"The government understands that these are strategic, state security activities and the decision is to revert the administration that until now has been in hands of individuals," Reuters reported Cabello as saying on Thursday.
Chavez has stepped up nationalizations and pressure on his opponents in recent months, taking over oil service companies, iron works and some food factories.
In March he ordered that ports, airports and roads previously governed at the state level be handed to central government.
Chavez has already nationalized key industries in Venezuela including oil, power, telecommunications, steel and cement.
The move, which was first announced in March, is the latest step by socialist President Hugo Chavez to put key areas of the economy in state hands.
It would directly affect DP World’s container terminal at Puerto Cabello, the country’s chief container port about 50 miles west of Caracas.
The affected ports receive many of the imports that Venezuela depends on, but do not handle vital oil shipping from the OPEC nation.
Authorities are revising the contracts of the port operators, the government's official gazette said on Thursday, and Public Works Minister Diosdado Cabello said the state would take control.
"The government understands that these are strategic, state security activities and the decision is to revert the administration that until now has been in hands of individuals," Reuters reported Cabello as saying on Thursday.
Chavez has stepped up nationalizations and pressure on his opponents in recent months, taking over oil service companies, iron works and some food factories.
In March he ordered that ports, airports and roads previously governed at the state level be handed to central government.
Chavez has already nationalized key industries in Venezuela including oil, power, telecommunications, steel and cement.