Venezuela's inflation rate, at more than 30 percent, is the highest in Latin America.

Fernando Llano / AP
People, wearing masks depicting Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, ride a motorcycle as they take part in a rally held by Chavez's allies in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2010. Chavez's allies launched their campaigns Wednesday for crucial congressional elections that come just as recession, crime and inflation have pushed the socialist leader's popularity to a seven-year low.