The country’s socialist (or Bolivarianist) government are promising to import 50 million rolls of toilet paper to counter reports of dwindling stocks.

The shortage is not the first experienced by the South American country. Several basic food supplies – such as coffee and dairy products – have consistently been in short supply in recent times. The Venezuelan authorities have also announced that they’ll be importing over 750,000 tonnes of food alongside the foreign toilet paper stocks.

The widespread shortages have been heavily influenced by government price controls, ironically aimed at ensuring the poorest citizens have access to basic goods & necessities. The strict controls on foreign currency mean that internal factories are struggling to import the raw supplies necessary to meet demand for their produce.

The government for their part are accusing both the media and opposition groups of artificially increasing demand and inciting a consumer panic. Commerce Minister Alejandro Fleming has said "the revolution will bring the country the equivalent of 50 million rolls of toilet paper. We are going to saturate the market so that our people calm down."

New Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was elected in April following the death of Hugo Chavez and a very close vote. Maduro was hand-chosen as a successor by Chavez to carry on the country’s 'revolution'. Most of Venezuela’s current economic policies were introduced by Chavez and his government during the leader’s fourteen years in power.