Venezuelans Protest Pork Shortages in Latest Sign of Discontent
The protests continued on Thursday, in what some social media users called the "pork revolution." Mr. Maduro, who has claimed
that his government is the target of a foreign-led "economic war," went on state television to blame Portugal for failing to deliver pork imports in time for Christmas.
28, 2017
CARACAS, Venezuela — Hundreds of Venezuelans took to the streets in poor parts of Caracas to protest a shortage of
pork for traditional holiday meals in the latest symptom of social discontent during a brutal economic crisis.
Mr. Maduro has frequently blamed opposition parties, the United States
and other foreign powers for an economic and social crisis in which millions are suffering from hyperinflation, crumbling infrastructure and shortages of basic products.
Local news media and Twitter users posted images of hundreds of people gathering in the streets
and burning trash in Caracas, the capital, late Wednesday.
Maduro said that With or without sabotage, no one will take away the happiness of Christmas from the people,
"I can name a country: Portugal." "We bought the pork, signed the agreements,
but they pursued the bank accounts of the boats," he added, without giving details.