Take the time to search some alternative media sources and find out what is happening to reporters down there if they try to tell the truth. They are getting beat up or worse by opposition "thugs". The food shortages are true on some things (not all) and most of this is the results of private conglomerates holding them back or selling them into the black market because they want the present leader out. The US (CIA) is up to their old tricks again and are backing the opposition. This is nothing new it happened before when Chevaz first took power. The bottom line is the mainstream media is not telling the truth, the same thing they did when Bush/Cheney lied about Irag.