Venezuela business leader says Maduro forcing "failed" economic model

CARACAS (Reuters) - The man President Nicolas Maduro named as public enemy No. 1 in Venezuela's "economic war" says a discredited state-driven growth model, not private enterprise, is to blame for the OPEC nation's soaring consumer prices and chronic product shortages.

Maduro has refused to loosen state controls over the economy introduced during the 14-year rule of late socialist leader Hugo Chavez, and this week ordered military occupations of stores and aggressive inspections reminiscent of his predecessor's style.