President Nicolas Maduro, whose country faces severe economic crisis and shortages, ordered a Venezuelan chain be taken over Tuesday and its proprietors detained for inciting "a food war against the people."

The socialist president declined to name the food and hygiene chain, which operates 36 stores across six Venezuelan cities, but local media reported it to be Venezuela's Dia a Dia stores.

"I gave specific orders to the vice president (in charge) of food sovereignty and safety" that the stores "be requisitioned at dawn," Maduro said Monday night.

He also called for the detention of "company managers and owners," whom he accused of involvement "in a food war against the people."

The take-over occurs as food, medical and industrial supply shortages abound with inflation at nearly 64 percent, and as the oil-rich nation, which imports nearly everything it consumes, is hard hit by falling crude prices.

Store, factory and agricultural production take-overs have been common in Venezuela since Hugo Chavez rose to power in 1999.

On Sunday, Maduro, who was elected in April 2013 following Chavez's death, announced the arrests of executives at one of the country's biggest pharmacy chains, Farmatodo, on suspicion of concealing products.

Maduro has accused various opposition and foreign entities of leading "an economic war" against his government by using shortages to foment social unrest.