Big Mac latest casualty of Venezuela shortages
McDonald's said Thursday it has stopped selling Big Macs in Venezuela, making the US chain's iconic hamburger the latest casualty of severe food shortages triggered by an economic crisis.
"At McDonald's Venezuela we are working to resolve this temporary situation. Together with our supplier we are evaluating the best options to allow us to continue offering quality products," the company said in a statement.
It did not give details on the reason for the suspension. Venezuelan media reports said McDonald's was no longer able to source the thin slice of bread that separates the sandwich's two meat patties.
The company's restaurants are still serving their other menu items, although they also suspended sales of french fries for 11 months last year because of shortages.
Venezuela's economy is mired in crisis because of the global plunge in the price of oil, its main export.
Long lines, chronic shortages, hyperinflation and violent crime have left President Nicolas Maduro fighting for his political life.
The opposition, which is pushing for a referendum to recall the unpopular leftist, blames the crisis on the failure of the socialist economic model of the past 17 years under Maduro and his late predecessor, Hugo Chavez.