The National Assembly announced today that six children have died and at least 40 other individuals have been poisoned after ingesting food that was not fit for human consumption. The even happened this week in Aragua state.
According to National Assembly deputy Karin Salanova, the victims ate bitter yams, a root that is normally not consumed due to its high toxicity.
Given the severity of the food shortages in Venezuela, the root has made its way onto the plates of many hungry Venezuelans. Last February, five members of the same family died in Caracas after eating bitter yams.
Salanova spoke on the tragedy through a press release, part of which reads:
What happened was a tragedy, but to it was added the total absence of medicine, equipment and even an ambulance at the Las Tejerias clinic, where the [event] that four families are now mourning took place.
Salanova also said that it is unacceptable that Venezuelan people are dying out from eating poisonous food out of desperation while the Maduro regime “refuses to open a humanitarian channel” that would allow food and medicine to flow into the country. The legislator suggested that this fact could amount to a crime under international law, and said that the National Assembly was compiling evidence to send to international organizations as evidence that the regime does not “guarantee neither nutrition nor life” for Venezuelans.
89.5% Of Households Lack Money for Basic Necessities
The results of a survey conducted by the Hercon polling firm released today reveal that a stunning 89.5% of households do not earn enough money to cover basic expenses. The results of the survey help quantify the grim reality affecting millions of Venezuelans on a daily basis.
According to the survey, 82.1% of Venezuelan households believe that the economic crisis worsened in 2017, while 81.6% consider the crisis to be serious. The overwhelming majority of Venezuelans blame “the economic model imposed by president Nicolas Maduro”, with 81.5% of those surveyed giving that answer.
The survey also contained questions regarding Maduro’s term as president of Venezuela, and reveals that he continues to be wildly unpopular. Based on the survey results, Maduro counts on support from a mere 20% of the population, while approximately 75-80% reject him. Below, questions on Maduro as president:
- “Do you think that the situation in the country will improve with Maduro as president?”- 18.3% responded “yes”;
– 79.1% responded “no”. - “In order to overcome this severe economic, political and social crisis, do you think that it is necessary for there to be a change in the national government?”- 21.9% responded “no”;
– 74.5% responded “yes”. - “Given the economic, political and social conditions, do you think that President Maduro should be re-elected to continue as President of the Republic, or on the contrary, should he leave the presidency this year?”- 21.3% responded “he should continue as president for another term”‘;
– 74.3% responded “he should leave the presidency this year”.
Hercon sampled 1,200 households between January 24 and February 13. The survey has a margin of error of +/- 3.2%.
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