Reason.com - Free Minds and Free Markets
Reason logo Reason logo
  • Latest
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Subscribe
    • Crossword
  • Video
    • Reason TV
    • The Reason Roundtable
    • Free Media
    • The Reason Interview
  • Podcasts
    • All Shows
    • The Reason Roundtable
    • The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie
    • Freed Up
    • The Soho Forum Debates
  • Volokh
  • Newsletters
  • Donate
    • Donate Online
    • Ways To Give To Reason Foundation
    • Torchbearer Society
    • Planned Giving
  • Subscribe
    • Reason Plus Subscription
    • Print Subscription
    • Gift Subscriptions
    • Subscriber Support

Log In

Create new account

Venezuela

Venezuelan Socialism in Action: Starvation for the People, Desk Empanadas for the Powerful

President Maduro pulls a tasty snack out of his desk during a live broadcast

Katherine Mangu-Ward | 11.3.2017 2:24 PM

Share on FacebookShare on XShare on RedditShare by emailPrint friendly versionCopy page URL Add Reason to Google
Media Contact & Reprint Requests
Large image on homepages | @Hannahdreier/Twitter
(@Hannahdreier/Twitter)

During a live televised address in Venezuela—which is the midst of a brutal food shortages brought about by a brutal socialst regime—President Nicolas Maduro pulled this stealthy snack move:

Venezuela's president, already mocked for gaining weight amid a hunger crisis, pulls out an empanada from his desk during a live TV address. pic.twitter.com/sPw63dbt83

— Hannah Dreier (@hannahdreier) November 3, 2017

The video was captured and tweeted by ProPublica's Hannah Dreier, a former A.P. correspondent in Venezuela. She notes that Maduro was "already mocked for gaining weight against a hunger crisis." Generally I'm against fat shaming, but I'm willing to grant a one-time exception.

Reason has been covering the situation in Venezuela, which continues to worsen. Good soldiers are rewarded with scarce basic necessities such as toilet paper. Citizens are urged to eat rabbits. Opposing forces have taken to the streets as the country's socialism descends into dictatorship. Meanwhile the government is reserving food aid for loyalists and others turn to bitcoin to survive.

Also this, from Remy:

Start your day with Reason. Get a daily brief of the most important stories and trends every weekday morning when you subscribe to Reason Roundup.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

NEXT: Sen. Feinstein's Threat to 'Do Something' to Social Media Companies Is a Bigger Danger to Democracy Than Russia

Katherine Mangu-Ward is editor in chief of Reason.

VenezuelaSocialismFood Policy
Share on FacebookShare on XShare on RedditShare by emailPrint friendly versionCopy page URL Add Reason to Google
Media Contact & Reprint Requests

Show Comments (51)

Latest

America Was Not Founded by 'Tariff Men,' Contrary to This Painting in Trump's White House

Phillip W. Magness | From the July 2026 issue

Trump's Embrace of Psychedelic Therapy Could 'Save a Lot of Lives'

Jacob Sullum | From the August/September 2026 issue

On America's 250th Birthday, the United States Arms the World's Tyrannies

Matthew Petti | 7.4.2026 7:30 AM

1776 All-Stars: George Washington Was a Model of Restraint

Christian Britschgi | From the July 2026 issue

Review: This Iconic Musical Reminds Us That Open Debate Still Matters

Reem Ibrahim | From the July 2026 issue

Recommended

  • About
  • Browse Topics
  • Events
  • Staff
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Media
  • Shop
  • Amazon
Reason Facebook@reason on XReason InstagramReason TikTokReason YoutubeApple PodcastsReason on FlipboardReason RSS Add Reason to Google

© 2026 Reason Foundation | Accessibility | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Reason's July 4 Special!

For America's 250th, Get 2 Years of Reason for $17.76

Celebrate your independence with a subscription to Reason magazine, your most trusted source of honest, insightful news and analysis.

Subscribe to Reason