Does Survival In Venezuela Depend on Shippers In Miami?

The forklift’s working overtime at Vikom Export, one of the hundreds of shipping companies nestled in the warehouse labyrinths of Doral, just west of Miami. Almost all of Vikom’s shipments go to Venezuela – and they’ve doubled since last year. “Food, baby formula, medicine, adult diapers” says Vikom owner and Venezuelan expat Elisaul Herrera as his phone rings off the hook in his office. “Every months it’s more, more cargo. Increases constantly.” Vikom customers like Marianela Mendez can tell you why. Mendez is one of thousands of émigrés moving to South Florida to escape increasingly painful food and medicine shortages back in Venezuela. More…