Despite Nicolás Maduro's government feeling the pressure of a potential military threat from the US, ordinary Venezuelans are more concerned about their immediate survival, particularly access to food.
At Quinta Crespo market in Caracas, shoppers glance at news about military escalations but focus on their wallets and meal planning instead. Alejandro Orellano, a local vendor, states, There’s not going to be an intervention, nothing like that. What's really troubling us is the rise of the dollar, as he awaits customers in a nearly empty market.
In recent weeks, the US government moved military assets closer to Venezuelan shores, raising alarm and cancelling flights amidst fears of potential intervention. However, for many citizens, these geopolitical tensions take a back seat to the pressing issues at home.
Venezuelans face skyrocketing food prices and a depreciating local currency, with inflation expected to reach staggering levels – over 629% in the next year according to the IMF. As desperation grows, the fear of American intervention does not match the concerns many feel over their daily financial decisions and food security.
Some citizens, like retiree Consuelo, feel that worrying about possible war is unhelpful and prefer to focus on everyday life, saying, Let whatever happens happen! Meanwhile, others worry quietly about the trajectory of their nation's future under political duress and a struggling economy.
Communities remain divided on how serious the US military threat actually is, with street vendors like Javier Jaramillo expressing skepticism towards impending military action, yet still remaining wary during power cuts when uncertainty looms large.
As tensions simmer, the real conflict persists on the ground, with the struggle for basic necessities outshining the distant threat of foreign military intervention. Venezuelans continue to seek sustenance in a deteriorating economy, proving that their battles are often fought at the market rather than the battlefield.
