UN-backed food expert calls on Venezuela to tackle hunger and urges end to economic sanctions

A United Nations-backed expert on food security is urging Venezuela’s government to develop a robust plan to address hunger

CARACAS, Venezuela -- A United Nations-backed expert on food security on Wednesday urged Venezuela’s government to develop a robust plan to address hunger and malnutrition affecting its population, and called for an end to the crippling economic sanctions imposed on the South American country.

Michael Fakhri, U.N. special rapporteur on the right to food, acknowledged progress made by the government of President Nicolás Maduro in recent years to address food insecurity, including its effort to boost local production of food. But at the end of a 14-day visit across the country, he told reporters that the root causes of hunger and malnutrition have not been addressed.

He said social programs created in response to severe food shortages have morphed into “charitable handouts” and have become “susceptible to patronage.”

“Food is an expression of love,” Fakhri said after highlighting the role of food in carnival celebrations, which coincided with this visit. “But love with hunger does not last. I learned that in Venezuela. Hunger is insidious. Hunger is not a member of this political party or that political party."

Fakhri told reporters he witnessed first-hand how economic sanctions have “constrained the government’s fiscal ability” to implement social programs and deliver public services. Their impact, he said, has been felt disproportionately by the poor.