Venezuela's empty fridges
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Venezuela's soaring prices and chronic shortages have left many struggling to put meals on their tables.
Recession and a dysfunctional state-run economy are forcing many in the South American OPEC country of 30 million to reduce consumption and eat less-balanced meals.
"I breakfast on either an arepa or a tamale, to eat, at least two times a day," said Mirella Rivero, posing with her son Jose Rivero.
Food available in the house of Mirella Rivero and her family.
"Now eating is a luxury. Before, we could earn some money and buy clothes or something, now everything goes on food," said Yaneidy Guzman, posing with her daughters.
Food available in the house of Yaneidy Guzman.
"We are eating in a bad way, we can not eat a balanced way. If we had lunch, not dinner and if we had dinner, not breakfast," said Duglas Sanchez.
Food available in the house of Duglas Sanchez.
"Before we were able to buy food for 15 days, now we can only cover our food needs for the day," said Romulo Bonalde, posing with his wife Maria de Bonalde.
Food available in the house of Romulo Bonalde.
"We are eating less, because we have been limiting ourselves. We used to keep the refrigerator full, but now it's no longer so," said Antonio Marquez, posing with his wife Maria de Marquez.
Food available in the house of Antonio Marquez.
Yunni Perez (right) poses for a picture next to her relatives (left to right) Carlos Acosta, Adrian Gonzalez, Luis Oliveros, Luis Oliveros and Hector Acosta at their home.
Food available in the house of Yunni Perez.
"We are eating less because you can't find the foods and when they appear, the queues are hellish and we can't buy them. Now we do not eat three meals, we are eating two meals a day. If we have them," said Victoria Mata (2nd right), posing with her relatives.
Food available in the house of Victoria Mata.
"We eat today, but we do not know what we will eat tomorrow. We are bad, I never thought it would come to this," said Francisca Landaeta (right) posing with her relatives.
Food available in the house of Francisca Landaeta.
"We have about 15 days eating bread with cheese or arepa with cheese. We are eating worse than before, because we can't find food and those we can find, we can't afford," said Lender Perez, posing with his wife Isamar Ramirez and their children.
Food available in the house of Lender Perez.
"Before, you could buy whatever you needed at the time, now you only can buy what they sell to you," said Ciliberto Paez, posing with his wife Consuelo Machado.
Food available in the house of Ciliberto Paez and his wife Consuelo Machado.
Mario Bedoya and his wife Carmen Bedoya, pose for a photograph at their home.
Food available in the house of Mario Bedoya.
"We are eating badly. For example, if we have corn flour, we eat arepas all day," said Rosa Elaisa Landaez.
Food available in the house of Rosa Elaisa Landaez.
"We are eating worse than before, if we eat breakfast, we don't eat lunch, if we eat lunch, we don't eat dinner and if we eat dinner, we don't eat breakfast," said Liliana Tovar (2nd left).
Food available in the house of Liliana Tovar.
Story
In a recent survey by researchers from three major universities often critical of the government, 87 percent of the respondents said their income was insufficient to purchase food.
The study of nearly 1,500 families found rising percentages of carbohydrates in diets, and found that 12 percent of those interviewed do not eat three meals a day.
Government supporters have long pointed proudly to the improvement in eating under late socialist leader Hugo Chavez, who used oil income to subsidize food for the poor during his 14-year rule and won United Nations plaudits for it.
But President Nicolas Maduro, Chavez's successor, has faced a collapse in the price of oil, which provides almost all foreign income. He further has blamed an opposition-led "economic war," though critics deride that as an excuse.
Either way, Venezuelans are tired and cross.
