Venezuelan President Sneaks an Empanada During TV Address to Hungry Nation

During a televised address on Friday, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, apparently believing the cameras were off, casually removed an empanada from his desk and took a hearty bite. For Venezuelans, in the midst of an economic crisis that has included severe food shortages, the moment was ripe with grim symbolism. Inflation in once-affluent Venezuela has already reached nearly 700% by some estimates, and the IMF projects it will more than triple next year. Price controls have left store shelves empty, while wages and employment have cratered in real terms. More…