Venezuela’s Election Handouts Are Shrinking

The Chinese appliances and Iranian-assembled cars belong to the past. The free apartments are fewer and farther between. Even in the charity food boxes, canned tuna has given way to beans. The great Venezuelan handout machine is grinding to a halt just when President Nicolas Maduro needs it most. Ahead of the May 20 election, the system that enticed needy voters for almost two decades is breaking down as the government fails to stem a decline in oil production that is exacerbating the worst economic crisis in the country’s history. More…