Venezuelan President 'spent £305,000 celebrating Fidel Castro's birthday' during national hunger crisis

Thousands people forced to cross border into Colombia for food and essential goods such as toilet roll

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro (C) speaks during a meeting with ministers at Miraflores Palace in Caracas (Reuters)

The Venezuelan President has been accused of spending $400,000 to celebrate Cuban leader Fidel Castro's birthday while his country endures a hunger crisis.

Nicolás Maduro allegedly spent the sum flying to Havana with an entourage of folk singers to put on a concert in Castro's honour.

Opposition politician Carlos Berrizbeitia told Fox News Latino: "Maduro used the presidential airplane, which requires around $25,000 to operate per hour.

"The trip to Cuba is two hours long, so he spent around $100,000 to go and come back.

"$185,000 had to be used for that and to pay hotel says and food. The rest of the money was spent in the satellite transmission of the concert and to pay the artists and technicians."

The event was transmitted live on two public Venezuelan TV channels hosted by a TV host and political ally of President Madura, Winston Vallenilla.

As a result of the country's economic spiral, thousands of Venezuelans have been forced into crossing the border into neighbouring Colombia to buy food and essential goods such as toilet roll.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has described the current situation in Venezuela as a "crisis", saying: "Basic goods and services such as food, water, health care and clothes aren't available.

"This triggers a humanitarian crisis in Venezuela which is created by political instability."

The food shortage has become so stark, there has been an outbreak of looting and food riots resulting in the arrest of 400 people.