As Nicolás Maduro's government remains on high alert due to military threats from the US, ordinary Venezuelans are focused on daily survival, particularly on what to eat.
In the Quinta Crespo market in downtown Caracas, residents checking their budgets express more concern over rising dollar prices than potential military action. Alejandro Orellano states, There’s not going to be an intervention, nothing like that. What’s really troubling us is the rise of the dollar, while the streets are sparsely populated with buyers.
The US government action – deploying troops and halting international flights – adds tension, but local residents prioritize immediate financial concerns over fears of war. The economic situation is dire, with inflation rates reaching around 20% monthly, severely impacting food prices and availability.
Venezuelans like Consuelo, a 74-year-old retiree, share a nonchalant attitude towards the threat of US invasion, prioritizing their well-being over contemplating potential conflict. She states, Let whatever happens happen! And that’s it! illustrating a common sentiment that worrying won’t improve their circumstances.
Despite rising insecurity and concerns over political repression amid societal unrest, many express apprehension to speak out publicly about their frustrations with the government for fear of reprisals. The overall sentiment is that while they acknowledge the military threats, daily survival and coping with inflation are their primary worries. As Javier Jaramillo puts it: We're more worried about food. Venezuela is in bad shape. Inflation is eating us alive.
This complex mix of uncertainty regarding military conflict and ongoing economic hardship paints a grim picture for the everyday Venezuelan, caught between the threat of external aggression and the struggle for basic sustenance.
