Venezuela has been hit by a sharp collapse in its currency and soaring inflation, putting enormous pressure on President Nicolas Maduro. At the same time, US warships continue to sink suspected drug boats off the country’s coast, underscoring the complex geopolitical situation.

According to the Financial Times, the Venezuelan bolivar has fallen more than 400% against the US dollar in the past year. The International Monetary Fund predicts inflation of 270% by the end of the year, making it the highest in the world.

The difficult economic situation is affecting the lives of the population: by 2024, 86% of Venezuelans will be in poverty, according to the Venezuelan Financial Observatory. José Guerra, an economics professor at the Central University of Venezuela, emphasizes that demand for dollars exceeds supply, and hyperinflationary phenomena are once again becoming evident.

The Venezuelan Ministry of Economy emphasizes that the minimum wage is now only about 60 cents per month. At the same time, state pensions provide a bonus of $ 50 plus 60 cents. Previously, one dollar cost 43 bolivars, now the rate has reached 228 bolivars per dollar.

For ordinary citizens, the situation is critical: food prices continue to rise rapidly. For example, 30 eggs cost $ 6.40, and a kilogram of cheese costs about $ 10. Local residents are forced to use mobile applications to pay, since the available money is not enough even for basic products.

Guerra noted that the economic crisis poses the same threat to Maduro as potential military action by the United States. The deeper the economic decline, the more social tension and the population's demands for changes in the country grow. The situation is reminiscent of the hyperinflationary period of 2016–2019, when millions of Venezuelans fled the country.

Rising inflation and currency devaluation pose significant risks to Venezuela’s economic stability, while low incomes and rising prices for essential goods are fueling social tensions that could escalate into a political crisis.