Nov 25, 2025
3 min read
With Washington and Caracas at risk from a possible attack on Venezuela, the country's streets are very concerned about their economy.
'A rising dollar is what's bothering us': How Venezuelans experience the possibility of a US attack.
- Author Nicole Koelster
- The author's title, especially for News Mundo
Meanwhile, the government of Nicolas Maduro is in doubt after US President Donald Trump threatened military action in Venezuela.Many civilians are struggling to make ends meet.
Wednesday morning at Quinta Crespo, a popular market in the heart of Caracas.Here, the increase in the outcome of the conflict does not seem to be most concerned.
“There will be no intervention, none of this, what we are interested in is the rise of the dollar,” Alejandro Orellano tells Mundo over coffee.
Since September, the Trump administration has short-ranged troops, military assets, and military forces, with more than 15,000 troops, Saturday, the largest in the world.
On Monday, at least seven international airlines canceled their flights to and from Venezuela following a warning from aviation authorities about the risk of flying.
And for several weeks now, the US has continued airstrikes against alleged "drug ships" in the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific.
At least 83 people died as a result of the terrorist attacks.Washington has accused drug trafficking, but has yet to provide any evidence.Some analysts believe that these attacks are part of a plan to remove Maduro.
Her government is illegitimate in the United States and several Latin American countries, following contested presidential elections in 2024, widely rejected by the international community.
Alejandro, who has been selling vegetables at these markets for five years, downplayed the rhetoric between Washington and Caracas.
“Look, look how empty this is,” he insists, pointing to a long, lonely aisle filled with fresh fruit and vegetables.
Those who are now saying that their main enemies are those who have fast access to food prices and less power to buy
One kilogram of chicken, for example, is almost four times the official monthly salary.And although the government pays benefits to pensioners and civil servants, this amount is not enough for the basic food basket.
But another reality is that since the anti-government protests that began after the disputed 2024 presidential election, a large segment of Venezuelan society has avoided publicly expressing their opinions on issues sensitive to Maduro's government.
After the demonstration and more than 2000 were arrested, according to official figures.
According to the non-governmental organization Foro Penal, 884 people are currently imprisoned for political reasons.
The reports of the people were in the proposal of words in the government and asks the policy effects.
Experts from the United Nations (UN) revealed allegations of serious violations of human rights in the context of those elections and the protests that took place in the days that followed.
Political persecution, excessive use of force, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings by state security forces and associated civilian groups have been reported.
"Could it be true? Could it be false?"
As for possible action by the United States in that country, Consuelo, 74, is skeptical and skeptical.
"Anything happens! (...), that's it!" He said to Mundo.
"Can it be true? Can it be a lie? (...) It makes you sick, nervous (...) it's better to keep calm. And emotions can affect your health," says this university professor, who is retired but still working.
"I didn't make nevaring purchases. To buy you have to get a lot of money."
Barbara Marrero, a 40-year-old crust chef, said: "We are all waiting for something to happen, because it is just and necessary, these years have been under total stress."
"Venezuelans are waiting every day for something to happen, but everyone is afraid (to speak) and no one says anything."
"We are afraid, in silence, that they will put us in prison. I always send things, but I don't know, because I don't know who it is, because I live in Ciudad Bolivar (Bolivar State, in the south) by phone.
"There is hope, faith, but people are silent because of fear, you don't hear anyone talking about it, you are at home", with happy people.
It is already noon.
It's business as usual on the busy boulevard in eastern Caracas.Merchants stimulate sales... passers-by come and go...
57-year-old Javier Jaramillo is Jaravalillo, who is looking for a mall to reset on Christmas.He is waiting to take the ship that took Washington to the Caribbean.
“I don’t think there will be an attack, I think it can be negotiations, agreements or agreements.”
Still, he says, when the power goes out, he thinks that "'They already have,' they'll go in. '
In any case, Javier repeated: "We are more worried about food (...), I don't think there is an attack."
Venezuela is very bad (...) inflation is eating us, there is no money here that is worth it;Dollar, Euro.
"I am a Venezuelan who needs (...)And what we want is to have a plan."
"No one falls asleep!"
"Everyone is flying, a thousand eyes. Let no one sleep!" Nicolás Maduro asked residents on Thursday night.
"We must protect the BIA oil facilities, they gave tickets and said they are harming the economy of Venidu," the president continued.
Maduro Constry prides himself on managing Venezuela's economy, ensuring it remains under the US amid sanctions and registration
Two Venezuela-based economists consulted for this report preferred not to testify on the matter for fear of government retaliation.
"This inflation has been around 20% month-on-month or month-on-month for the past few months," said another expert, who did not want to be identified.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) puts price growth at 548% this year and says it will worsen in 2026, when it could rise to 629%.That is the highest figure on the continent.
Maduro, for his part, emphasizes that the country's GDP will grow by 9%.
"Innocent people can die"
Esther Guaha, 53, who works in a medical laboratory, is one of those who do not shy away from the expansion of the US Navy.
"I'm worried, because I don't really know what's going to happen, that they're really going to attack, take out...people think it's very easy, very calm and strong, a lot of innocent people can die."
"I feel that something is brewing there, but I'm waiting," he says.
Petro resident and militia member Francisco Ojeda, 69, said Trump needs to come to his senses.
Ojeda participated in Maduro's military training and holds military weapons, albeit without bullets.
"Nobody here stays calm when there's an invasion," he said.
"If they are enough, they are enough, if they are not enough, well. But here we want peace and harmony for everyone."
"We are calm (...), here everyone dances, they go to the beach, they work, everything is normal."
Click here to read more News Mundo stories.
Subscribe to our new Newsletter to pick up our best content every Friday here.
You can also follow us on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, X, Facebook and our new WhatsApp channel.
And don't forget that you can find information in our app.Download the latest version and activate it.
