Sporadic US Food Shortages Trigger Worries in Venezuelan Immigrants About Country’s Direction

Contact Your Elected Officials
The Epoch Times Header

When Venezuelan immigrants in the United States see items missing from store shelves, they worry about the direction of the United States and remember the empty shelves in their home country as it fell into socialism.

Once the richest country in South America, today many in Venezuela are impoverished and many are leaving to survive. But it wasn’t always like that. Patricia Andrade of Miami, Florida is founder of Venezuela Awareness, a non-profit organization that helps Venezuelans arriving in the United States get started with basic needs. She came to the United States about 35 years ago. At the time, elections were free, and it was a normal country, Andrade told The Epoch Times.

“We would go to the supermarket and find everything we wanted,” she said. But in 2013-2014, the economy collapsed, and things changed drastically

“They began to find, in Venezuela, the shelves were empty. They would go to a store and part of the store was empty,” Andrade said. “If you try to find basic things, you can’t find it. It was not only one product; it was many products. For example, you couldn’t find cereal, milk, ketchup—basic things. Toothpaste, soap, deodorant—I remember my son said they were afraid to go out without deodorant. Shampoo, oil for cooking, I remember sugar—a lot of times you couldn’t find sugar at the supermarket.”

She said it happened suddenly, not little by little. And for those who have seen food security disappear from a country, shortages in the United States, such as baby formula, are worrisome. Lately, her grocery store has been limiting the amount of cream cheese customers may buy, and sometimes they sell out. She notices sparse clothing racks at department stores, smaller shoe selections, more shelf space between products at the arts and crafts store.

It is especially discouraging, she said, for people just arriving from Venezuela, who fear the problems they fled are creeping into the United States.

“People are worried. They say they believe socialism destroyed Venezuela, that we are at the beginning of socialism in the United States, and we are going to repeat this story in the United States.”

By Beth Brelje

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Truth & Treason

World War II has long served as a compelling...

Is an American confusing England for Britain a problem?

The difficulty is when Americans try to engage with British politics, where they keep saying "England" rather than "Britain."

Charlie Kirk Assassination Links Back to Israel

Those who really know how to use the tools...

Lessons from the Cleavers: “Leave it to Beaver” Can Teach Us A Lot

A Gen-Zer reflects on growing up watching Leave It to Beaver, grateful for the shows timeless lessons and and the values it taught.

Why Democracy, not Caesar, is the answer to our problems

Caesar-style leadership wins quick public support but inevitably sparks passionate resistance, conflict, bloodshed, and lasting social destabilization.

Judge Widens Block on Shutdown-Related Layoffs to Cover More Federal Workers

Judge expanded her order blocking Trump admin mass layoffs during the govt shutdown, extending job protections to more workers.

When Government Could Reopen–Key Dates to Watch

Federal govt shutdown enters third week with Congress deadlocked and no negotiations in sight as key deadlines loom to test lawmakers’ resolve.

Reader Poll: Hold Financers, Organizers Accountable for Political Violence

Respondents to our reader poll think authorities should examine the funding and coordination behind political protests that turn violent.

‘No Kings’ Protests Kick Off Across US as GOP Denounces Rallies as ’Hate America’

Large-scale events, as part of the “No Kings” protests, are taking place in cities including Washington, New York, Boston, New Orleans, and Atlanta.

Army Corps of Engineers to Pause $11 Billion in Projects During Shutdown: Vought

Russ Vought, director of the White House’s OMB, has added to the growing pile of federal projects paused during the government shutdown.

Trump Signs Executive Order Putting New Restrictions on Federal Hiring

Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to restrict hiring, with exceptions for immigration, security, and political appointees.

Trump Says He Has Authorized Covert CIA Operations in Venezuela

President Trump authorized covert CIA operations in Venezuela, expanding U.S. assets there to increase pressure on President Nicolás Maduro’s regime.

Trump Posthumously Awards Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom

President Trump posthumously awarded Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the White House Rose Garden on Oct 14, Charlie's birthday.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central