The United Nations announced this week it will be donating $9.2 million in aid to help ease Venezuela’s escalating financial and humanitarian disaster; the first emergency funding given to Socialist President Nicolas Maduro’s brutal regime.
“The United Nations on Monday announced $9.2 million in health and nutritional aid for crisis-stricken Venezuela,” writes Reuters. “It is the first U.N. emergency funding for the government of President Nicolas Maduro, which blames the country’s economic problems on U.S. financial sanctions.”
International critics argue the aid won’t likely reach those in need, but will end up in the hands of government officials and key Maduro insiders.
According to a former Venezuelan treasurer Maduro has taken in upwards of $1 billion in corruption and bribes since taking power.
Read the full report at Reuters.
BEIJING LIFELINE: Chinese ‘Medical Ship’ Arrives at Venezuela Port for Eight Day Visit
A Chinese medical ship, commonly known as the ‘Peace Ark,’ arrived at the Venezuelan port city of La Guaira over the weekend; delivering much-needed supplies to the once oil-rich nation.
According to Reuters, Venezuelan socialist President Nicolas Maduro requested the delivery during a recent trip to Beijing where he met with high-ranking officials with the hopes of securing aid, international funds, and military support for collapsing economy.
“China has been a major backer of Venezuela over the years, with more than a decade of oil-for-loan agreements that helped China secure energy supplies for its fast-growing economy while bolstering an anti-U.S. ally in Latin America,” writes Reuters.
Maduro came under fire last week from Venezuelans and the international community after video of the socialist president surfaced on the internet; sparking outrage as he dined on $100 steaks and smoked lavish cigars.
Read the full report here.
MAN OF THE PEOPLE: Venezuela’s Maduro Dines on $100 Steak, Smokes Cigars as Nation Starves
Venezuelan Socialist President Nicolas Maduro was caught on camera eating a $100 steak and smoking lavish cigars during a recent trip to Asia; infuriating millions of starving residents struggling with a collapsing economy and vanishing food supplies.
According to Bloomberg, images of Maduro dining at a famous steak restaurant in Turkey went viral on social media within minutes. The socialist president was traveling back from China where he sought aid for his impoverished nation.
“Maduro visited Nusr-Et, known for its $100 rib-eye, after making an official trip to China in hopes of securing financing for cash-strapped Venezuela. In videos posted by Nusret to Twitter and Instagram, Maduro is seen eating steak next to his wife, Cilia Flores, while also holding a cigar and trying on a t-shirt depicting Nusret, also known as Salt Bae and famous for how he prepares and seasons steaks,” writes Bloomberg.
Venezuela is struggling to clampdown on a devastating financial crisis. Recent reports say nearly 79% of the nation’s residents are unable to “feed themselves” on a daily basis.