Venezuelan Sales of Dollars Rise More Than 21% Through May

Venezuela increased sales of dollars at the official exchange rate by more than 21 percent in the first five months of the year, said Manuel Barroso, the president of the Foreign Exchange Administration Commission. The government sold more than $19 billion through May at the official rate of 2.15 bolivars per dollar, giving priority to importers of food, health care supplies and machinery, Barroso said today in comments broadcast by state television. Venezuelans can only buy dollars at the official exchange rate from the government under exchange controls put in place in 2003.