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[Brakke]

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articl...-has-toilet-paper-but-no-breast-implants.html

In case you missed it, things aren't going so well in Venezuela.

"Recent claims from plastic surgeons across Venezuela indicate it has become difficult to obtain safe breast (approved by the F.D.A.) implants due to Venezuela’s currency controls that have also led to a variety of shortages of basic goods."

These currency controls over the past decade have restricted the conversion of the Venezuelan Bolivar into other foreign currencies in an effort to halt capital from leaving the Venezuelan government after Chavez seized and nationalized private businesses and land.

Breast implants are a big deal in Venezuela. According to Daniela Holmes, a twentysomething Caracas native: “It’s our version of a bat mitzvah. You’re a woman, you get fake boobs now.”

With a population of just of over 30 million, Venezuelans purchased 38,500 boob jobs last year, according to the International Study on Aesthetic/Cosmetic Procedures. This is a slightly higher rate than U.S. consumers buy new breasts (313,000 surgeries out of a population of 313 million). But consider that the American GDP is $53,142.89 per person and Venezuela’s is $14,414.75 and it becomes clear that what Americans consider a luxury item, Venezuelans consider a middle-class purchase if not a necessity.

“A migration of Venezuelan women to Colombia”—also famed across Latin America for its curvy, beautiful women—“may be in the works,” [Edna Lerebours, owner of Agencia Eme model agency in the Dominican Republic] said.

One possible solution to the breast shortage is the infamous Venezuelan border with Colombia. After years of Venezuelans smuggling cheap gas into Colombia for generous profits, Venezuela closes the whole border each night. [Ben Hockman, a Colombia-based security risk consultant] said he could imagine a scenario that works in the other direction for breast implants.

"You’ve got people trying to import illegal, or not officially recognized in Venezuela, breast-based products in Venezuela,” he said. “Maybe even a mass exodus of Venezuelan women looking to get breast implants done in Colombia.

"breast based products"

RIP in peace Venezuela's excellent Miss Universe record.

 

[Slayven]

When they came for the titties.......

 

[TheChewyWaffles]

Chavez is gone TOO FAR with this. He's crossed the line.

 

[Vesmir]

Based Chavez saving the world from plastic tits. Natural or bust.

 

[Monocle]

Why the hell is Obama sending troops to combat ebola in Africa when there's a real emergency to deal with?