Venezuelans clamour to buy goods after devaluation

Thousands of Venezuelans descended on local shops Saturday, hoping to buy imported goods before a currency devaluation ordered by President Hugo Chavez ramps up prices.
The firebrand leftist leader announced Friday that non-essential imports would be subjected to an exchange rate of 4.3 bolivars per dollar, a doubling from 2.15 per dollar today.
The higher exchange rate will apply to items such as automobiles, telecommunications, tobacco, beverages, chemicals, petrochemicals and electronics.
That prompted throngs of customers to queue in front of electronics stores, while those who made it inside navigated crowded aisles to grab refrigerators, stereos and other imported goods.
"We decided that today was the day to buy a television before the price explodes," a customer told AFP.