CARACAS, Nov 17 — Venezuela has praised its “socialist revolution” for a culinary conquest: Guinness World Records for the country’s beloved Christmas dinner staples.

A cook-a-thon in the capital Caracas landed Venezuela records for the biggest ham-filled bread, sugar cane juice infused with lemon, and “hallaca”, a cornmeal dish wrapped in plantain leaves.

“Made in socialism, made in revolution,” Food Minister Yvan Bello said in a flurry of celebratory tweets.

“The people are celebrating, Venezuela is a country of records, of achievements, thanks to the revolution!” he added, feting the 20-metre bread, 12,000-litre drink and 120-metre “hallaca”.

The initiative comes as Venezuelans struggle ahead of the holiday season owing to shortages of basic goods and sky-high inflation that crimps purchasing power.

Leftist President Nicolas Maduro has launched a plan dubbed “Operation Merry Christmas” to lower the cost of toys, clothes and appliances for shoppers amid the weakening economy.

Critics blast the measures as unsustainable distractions to mask the OPEC country’s deeper problems. — Reuters