Mexico City
Facing public outrage over the soaring price of corn, Mexican President Felipe Calderón last week set a ceiling on tortilla prices. The price of corn has risen sharply on world markets in recent months, causing hardship in Mexico, where tortillas are a dietary staple and half the population of 107 million lives on $4 a day or less. Under Calderón’s decree, the price of tortillas in Mexico City cannot top the current price of 35 cents a pound. In rural areas, the price is capped at 14 cents a pound. “We are going to apply the law firmly,” said Calderón, usually a proponent of free markets, “and punish anyone who tries to take advantage of the needs of the people.”
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