Venezuelan protesters call on Maduro to solve food crisis

Hundreds of protesters have amassed in front of Venezuela’s presidential palace, calling on the government to take measures to address the ongoing food crisis in the oil-rich country. 

An angry crowd headed toward the Miraflores palace in downtown Caracas on Thursday, chanting “We want food!” and “We are hungry and tired.”

“I've been here since eight in the morning. There's no more food in the shops and supermarkets,” one of the protesters said.

Venezuelan security forces reportedly fired teargas at the protesters after they blocked off two main streets in central Caracas with trash and other barriers. 

Venezuela, home to the world's largest oil reserves, has been hit hard by the collapse in global crude prices over the past two years. The economy is forecast to contract eight percent this year, with an inflation rate of about 700 percent.

People are facing hardships due to a growing shortage of food and medicine in shops and supermarkets. The low supply of basic goods has fueled looting, violent crime and vigilante justice across the country.

At least 94 looting sprees broke out in the first four months of the year, according to the Venezuelan Observatory for Social Conflict.

In the meantime, the government's top economic official, Miguel Perez, promised that things will improve in the next few weeks.

“We know this month has been really critical. It's been the month with the lowest supply of products. That's why families are anxious,” he told local radio.

Decision on Maduro recall vote postponed 

The opposition had earlier called for a referendum this year to recall President Nicolas Maduro.

However, electoral authorities at the National Electoral Board (CNE) called off a key meeting on whether they could go ahead with efforts to remove Maduro.

An initial petition with 1.8 million signatures had endorsed the recall vote.

Maduro's opponents warn the country will face an explosion of unrest if authorities do not allow a recall referendum this year.

However, after a meeting with members of the CNE, opposition spokesman Jesus Torrealba said the vote had been postponed, calling on people to remain calm.

“We are going to announce to the nation the steps we will take in the face of this unprecedented situation,” Torrealba said.

The opposition accuses the government of stalling the process, saying that the electoral board is staffed by government loyalists.

Maduro's camp in return accuses the opposition of massive fraud in its petition drive.

Since 2014, Venezuela has been grappling with protests against Maduro, who is under fire by his critics, most notably the opposition, for causing the economic recession through mismanagement.

The government, however, has denounced the opposition’s plan as a US-backed attempt to bring about a coup d’état in the oil-rich country that is home to 29 million people.

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