The Venezuelan government has started to fingerprint shoppers at some state-run supermarkets, in a plan to combat food scarcity which has been derided by some consumers weary of shortages.

Shoppers have struggled for more than a year to find basic goods including powdered milk and cooking oil, as well as certain medicines and diapers.

Currency controls implemented over a decade ago under the late President Hugo Chavez mean importers do not have the US dollars required for imports.

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