Evolving crisis fuels anxiety among Venezuelans who want a better economy but see worsening woes

The escalating crisis in Venezuela is causing growing anxiety among its citizens, who are yearning for a better economy but continue to witness deteriorating conditions. In the rural community of San Joaquin, retirees like Jose Hernandez rely on avocados from nearby trees to make ends meet. They sell these avocados to passing motorists or in the nearby city of Valencia to supplement their meager pensions, which currently amount to just $3.70 a month, barely enough to cover basic necessities.

The roots of Venezuela’s political, social, and economic crisis trace back to a decade ago when a combination of factors, including a global drop in oil prices, mismanagement by the socialist administration, and government repression, began to take a toll. The situation worsened after a brief period of economic stability in 2021 and 2022, leading to skyrocketing food prices, business closures, and a renewed desire among many to leave the country.

Amid this grim reality, Venezuelans are hearing discussions about upcoming elections, as the opposition prepares for a primary on October 22 to select a candidate to challenge President Nicolás Maduro in the next presidential election. However, disillusionment and frustration with politics and politicians, regardless of their affiliation, have deepened among both young and old due to a series of disappointments, corruption allegations, misinformation, and government repression.

In 2021, Maduro’s government managed to briefly stabilize Venezuela’s hyperinflation by implementing public spending cuts, tax increases, and foreign currency injections. This led to a temporary respite, with some Venezuelans even returning from neighboring countries where they had sought refuge during the crisis. However, this stability was short-lived, and by January, the economic situation had deteriorated once again. The minimum wage stagnated, and basic necessities like chicken, eggs, and milk became prohibitively expensive.

The situation has become dire, with people struggling to afford both food and medicine. The exodus from Venezuela has resumed, with an increasing number of people now eyeing the United States as their destination. Over the past year, the number of Venezuelan migrants attempting to enter the U.S. through its southern border has surged, highlighting the severity of the crisis.

For Venezuelans, the crisis feels like an unending series of hardships, with each year marked by its own unique challenges. Worries are mounting as these difficulties converge, even affecting the capital, Caracas, which was previously somewhat insulated from some of the crisis’s worst effects.

The shelves in supermarkets and neighborhood markets are shrinking, restaurants are closing, and power outages are becoming more frequent. Despite political affiliations, many Venezuelans long for the days of Hugo Chávez and his socialist revolution, viewing themselves as pawns in a geopolitical game that neglects their dire economic circumstances.

A recent 12-hour period exemplifies this growing sentiment, with shifting government actions and political developments adding to the uncertainty faced by Venezuelans. While there is a desire for political change, the immediate concern remains the economic hardship that plagues their daily lives. As Vanessa Martinez, a maintenance worker in Venezuela, aptly puts it, “The situation is very sad. Who knows when we’ll see a change.”

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More about Venezuelan Crisis

• Venezuela’s Economic Crisis
• Venezuela’s Hyperinflation
• Venezuelan Migration Trends
• Effects of U.S. Sanctions on Venezuela
• Challenges Faced by Ordinary Venezuelans
• Political Disillusionment in Venezuela