Venezuela

Craving some Koobideh from Iran? Arepas from Venezuela? Head to Pittsburgh’s Conflict Kitchen, where a rotating menu features food from countries in conflict with the United States.

There seems to be no end to the indignities in rapidly failing Venezuela. It’s the start of the Western Hemisphere’s own humanitarian crisis, says an AP correspondent in Caracas.

Given President Nicolás Maduro is already fighting for his political survival, it might seem crazy of him to meddle with such a sensitive issue as the cost of gas. Venezuelans are already dealing with triple-digit inflation.

One of the drivers behind the Venezuelan street protests is a lack of basic consumer goods, from toilet paper to food. Now the government thinks it has a partial answer — a sort of supermarket loyalty card that it hopes will cut down on hoarding and speculation. But some critics say the idea is just creepy.One of the drivers behind the Venezuelan street protests is a lack of basic consumer goods, from toilet paper to food. Now the government thinks it has a partial answer — a sort of supermarket loyalty card that it hopes will cut down on hoarding and speculation. But some critics say the idea is just creepy.

Hugo Chavez was a larger-than-life political figure who served as Venezuela’s president for 14 years, keeping a lid on protests and a difficult economy. His successor Nicolas Maduro has had anything but a smooth reign and Venezuela is now being compared to tumultuous counties like Syria and Ukraine.Hugo Chavez was a larger-than-life political figure who served as Venezuela’s president for 14 years, keeping a lid on protests and a difficult economy. His successor Nicolas Maduro has had anything but a smooth reign and Venezuela is now being compared to tumultuous counties like Syria and Ukraine.