Things That Matter

People Are Furious At Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro Eating An Empanada Live On TV While Citizens Starve

By November 3, 2017 at 6:01 pm
@hannahdreier / Twitter

Venezuela has been in turmoil for over a year. The economy has hit a major low point and for months the country was crippled by ongoing protests and violence. During that time, the availability of food has run scarce, leading to food shortages and a severe hunger crisis. Last year, Venezuelans on average lost 19 pounds because there is no food available in the country. When food does become available, it is severely overpriced as the country deals with extreme inflation and lines stretch for hours for the chance to buy it. There have even been opposition leaders taken from their homes in the middle of the night to quiet any dissenting voices. Yet, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has not lost weight and recently ate an empanada during a live television address, sparking outrage on social media.

Here is the video that has angered many and garnered the president massive criticism.

According to a study earlier this year, more than 80 percent of Venezuelan households live in poverty and food is extremely scarce. That’s why a video of President Maduro casually eating an empanada during a live television address has caused a backlash.

Some people think he may blame the video on a conspiracy set up by the CIA.

“Now we just have to wait for Maduro to say the CIA manipulated the video,” wrote one Twitter user.

Maduro has blamed several U.S. government officials and agencies for trying to topple his government. Claiming that the CIA doctored a video of him eating an empanada would obviously be a stretch. However, the South American president has shown such a lack of restraint in the past that people don’t know what to expect.

A couple people used the video to joke about his similarities to the U.S. president.

Granted, President Trump hasn’t taken away basic liberties and freedoms from the American people. But he’s sure trying.

And many are comparing this moment to the infamous and fictitious Maria Antoinette quote.

If you don’t know, “Let them eat cake” is a famous quote that was allegedly said by Maria Antoinette during the French Revolution. It has been debunked that the phrase came from her, yet it is still widely used to this day to characterize the elite and powerful taking advantage of the down trodden.

Even so, most people cannot believe how shameless Maduro is with this latest moment.

“Shameless.”

The Venezuelan people are still suffering and things are getting worse. Maduro has successfully installed a assembly that will be tasked to rewrite the constitution. There is still a severe lack of food and the ruling party is gaining more and more power. This act is the latest in a long running narrative of the Venezuelan government disregarding the needs of their people.


READ: Venezuelan Women Are Making Almost Quadruple The Nation’s Monthly Minimum Wage By Selling Their Hair

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Mountain Dew Margaritas Are Apparently A Thing At Red Lobster Now?

Culture

Mountain Dew Margaritas Are Apparently A Thing At Red Lobster Now?

By September 16, 2020 at 4:51 pm
BY  | September 16, 2020 AT 4:51 pm
Matt Winkelmeyer / Getty

We’ve seen all kinds of takes on the timeless classic that is a Margarita. From frozen Margaritas to ones with cranberry juice and dashes of blue curaçao and twists of basil and ginger beer we’ve literally seen it all. Or so we thought.

Recently, Red Lobster announced that they’re doing a Mountain Dew-take on the beloved and salty tequila cocktail.

Red Lobster’s DEW-Garita promises to set you aglow.

The drink is the first official Mountain Dew cocktail and of course, it is bright lime green. While the cocktail’s recipe is being kept strictly under wraps, like everything at Red Lobster’s, it’s supposed to pair “perfectly” with Red Lobster’s iconic Cheddar Bay Biscuits.

“Red Lobster is thrilled to work with PepsiCo, not only because it has a great portfolio of brands, but specifically because of the food and beverage innovation possibilities,” Nelson Griffin,the Senior Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer at Red Lobster said in a statement about the drink.

Red Lobster’s DEW-Garita is due to debut at Red Lobster locations nationwide in September and by the end of 2020.

The Margarita is an iconic Mexican drink related to a drink called Rhe Daisy.

The classic Tequila sour cocktail is one of the most beloved cocktails in the world. According to Wine Enthusiast “One story claims that the drink was created in 1938, as Mexican restaurant owner Carlos (Danny) Herrera mixed it for gorgeous Ziegfeld showgirl Marjorie King. Supposedly, Tequila was the only alcohol that King would abide, so Herrera added lime juice and salt.”

To make your own classic Margarita check out this recipe below

Ingredients

  • Coarse salt
  • Lime wedge
  • 2 ounces white Tequila
  • 1 ounce orange liqueur
  • 1 ounce lime juice

Directions

Shake out coarse salt on a plate. Wet the rim of a glass by using the lime wedge. Press the rim of the glass in the plate of salt to coat. Add ice to the glass.

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add the rest of the ingredients. Shake well, and pour into the prepared glass over ice.

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NewsweekRed LobsterMountain DewdrinksfoodMargarita

El Pollo Loco Announces First Round Of Latina Business Owners To Win $10K Grants

Fierce

El Pollo Loco Announces First Round Of Latina Business Owners To Win $10K Grants

By at 4:34 pm
BY  | September 16, 2020 AT 4:34 pm
Ethan Miller / Getty Images

Update: October 14, 2020

El Pollo Local Grants was created to help Latina-owned small businesses and the Latinas who started them. As part of the program, El Pollo Loco awarded $100,000 in grant money directly to ten Latina entrepreneurs who needed support during this pandemic. El Pollo Loco has also set up a GoFundMe to use the momentum and community support to save more Latina-owned businesses. Here are some of the Latina-owned business that El Pollo Loco helped with their grant program.

Thirteen lucky Latina food jefas in Los Angeles won grants from El Pollo Loco.

El Pollo Loco, in partnership with #WeAllGrow Latina, is putting their money back into their community. With Covid-19 devastating small business owners, Latinas in particular, the fast-food chain wanted to help those struggling. In response to the ongoing pandemic, El Pollo Loco created the #FundLatinaFoodJefas campaign to give $10,000 and mentorship to Latina food jefas in the Los Angeles area.

“When El Pollo Loco approached us about working together to support the local Latina business community, we were all in,” Ana Flores, founder and CEO of #WeAllGrow Latina, said in a statement when the fund was announced. “We know that Latinas are driving economic gains that create generational wealth for the broader community, but that the circumstances of COVID-19 have posed a significant threat to our progress. This program will provide the exposure, mentorship, and the cash that women in our community, specifically those in the food industry, need to adapt their businesses to this new reality.”

Thirteen Latina food jefas won the grants. The restaurants and jefas were nominated by customers, friends, and family who wanted to see them thrive. The winners of the grants are Amara Kitchen & Catering, The Salvi Vega, Alchemy Organica, Cafe Santo, La Llorona Bakes, Todo Verde, Andrea’s Healthy Kitchen, Milpa Grille, Salsaology, Twisted for Sugar, Yucas, East Los Sweets, and Alta Baja Market.

Congratulations to all of the Latina food jefas who won the grants to keep their businesses going. El Pollo Loco wants to keep the love going. If you want to help, you can donate to their GoFundMe here.

Original: Covid-19 has devastated millions of Americans with job loss. Unemployment skyrocketed as the federal government failed to create and execute a plan to combat the pandemic. El Pollo Loco is stepping up and giving our community a chance to keep business doors open and community members employed.

El Pollo Loco is giving Latina business owners in the greater Los Angeles area a lifeline in these uncertain times.

The Latino community is the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs and business owners in the U.S. According to a Stanford University study, Latino business owners grew 34 percent while every other demographic grew 1 percent over the last ten years.

However, Covid has changed things. Latina-owned business are some of the hardest hit and the sudden loss is impacting our community. According to the Pew Research Center, Latinas experienced a -21 percent change in small business ownership and jobs since the Covid downturn.

El Pollo Loco is offering $100,000 in grants to different Latina-owned businesses because of the pandemic.

The fast-food chain has started a GoFundMe to keep the donations going. El Pollo Loco has already pledged $100,000 to help Latina small businesses and the GoFundMe promises to keep the donations flowing. For every $10,000 raised in the GoFundMe, El Pollo Loco will donate it to a Latina small business. The GoFundMe has raised over $100,000 at the time of this post.

#WeAllGrow Latina partnered with El Pollo Loco to give Latina business owners this lifeline.

#WeAllGrow Latina and El Pollo Loco are asking the Latino community to help find Latina small businesses that deserve the grants. Instead of making the decision themselves, #WeAllGrow Latina and El Pollo Loco want you to nominate your favorite Latina small business for the grant.

“This year has been unlike any other, leaving Latina-owned businesses disproportionately impacted,” Bernard Acoca, President and Chief Executive Officer of El Pollo Loco, said in a statement. “Given the critical role brands are expected to play during the pandemic and on the heels of Hispanic Heritage Month, we felt compelled to find a way to support the people and city we call home.”

In order to nominate a business, here is what you have to do.

Credit: weallgrowlatina.com/fundlatinafoodjefas

Using social media, nominate your favorite LA-based Latina small business and tag @elpolloloco and @weallgrowlatina while using #grantcontest and #FundLatinaFoodJefas. You can nominate the business up to five times.

People are already nominating their favorite food places in LA.

You have until Sept. 15 to nominate your favorite Latina small business. You can help them win $10,000 and mentorship from El Pollo Loco to help Latina business owners in LA keep their doors open. You can learn more here.

READ: California Is Poised To Become The First State To Offer Unemployment To Undocumented Workers

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latina entrepreneursJefasEl Pollo LococovidGrantsfood