Venezuela's capital is gripped by unease after a US bombing attack on Saturday, leaving many wondering if their daily lives will ever return to normal. In the aftermath of the attack, which resulted in at least 80 deaths and Maduro's abduction to the US, locals are venturing out to buy essential supplies – but at steeply marked-up prices.
In Caracas, normally bustling markets like Quinta Crespo were largely deserted, with some store owners shuttering their businesses due to fear of unrest and looting. Those who did venture out were buying non-perishable goods in bulk, such as corn flour, rice, and canned food, anticipating that shortages could worsen.
"I'm looking for basic necessities," said Carlos Godoy, a 45-year-old Caraqueño. "We are waiting to see what happens. We are all in suspense, in uncertainty." He echoed the sentiments of many Venezuelans who have grown accustomed to price hikes and supply shortages over the past decade, with inflation hitting over 130,000 percent by 2018.
The US military offensive was brief but left a trail of destruction, prompting President Trump to warn of further attacks if his demands for Venezuela's leader are not met. The Venezuelan government has declared a state of emergency and vowed to capture those involved in the attack.
For many Venezuelans, life under Trump's administration is already precarious. "Prices are high," said Alexandra Arismendi, who works at a mobile phone shop in one of Caracas' busiest shopping districts. "A carton of eggs is selling for $10, which is beyond normal." The normally bustling malls were eerily quiet as shoppers stayed indoors due to fear of further unrest.
With the situation still unfolding, it's unclear when or if Venezuela will return to its pre-attack state. "I feel that there was more tension around the elections," said Arismendi. "Thank God we're not at that level right now, but I feel like we're not that far off either." As the country struggles to come to terms with the aftermath of the US attack, one thing is certain – its people are uncertain about their future.
In Caracas, normally bustling markets like Quinta Crespo were largely deserted, with some store owners shuttering their businesses due to fear of unrest and looting. Those who did venture out were buying non-perishable goods in bulk, such as corn flour, rice, and canned food, anticipating that shortages could worsen.
"I'm looking for basic necessities," said Carlos Godoy, a 45-year-old Caraqueño. "We are waiting to see what happens. We are all in suspense, in uncertainty." He echoed the sentiments of many Venezuelans who have grown accustomed to price hikes and supply shortages over the past decade, with inflation hitting over 130,000 percent by 2018.
The US military offensive was brief but left a trail of destruction, prompting President Trump to warn of further attacks if his demands for Venezuela's leader are not met. The Venezuelan government has declared a state of emergency and vowed to capture those involved in the attack.
For many Venezuelans, life under Trump's administration is already precarious. "Prices are high," said Alexandra Arismendi, who works at a mobile phone shop in one of Caracas' busiest shopping districts. "A carton of eggs is selling for $10, which is beyond normal." The normally bustling malls were eerily quiet as shoppers stayed indoors due to fear of further unrest.
With the situation still unfolding, it's unclear when or if Venezuela will return to its pre-attack state. "I feel that there was more tension around the elections," said Arismendi. "Thank God we're not at that level right now, but I feel like we're not that far off either." As the country struggles to come to terms with the aftermath of the US attack, one thing is certain – its people are uncertain about their future.
... she loves eating that stuff with the crunchy bits, you know? anyway, back to Venezuela... i guess it's kinda like when i tried to buy some decent coffee beans online and they were like 10x more expensive than usual. price hikes, inflation... i feel for those venezuelans, living in a state of uncertainty 
. also, have you guys seen that one video where cats can "play" piano? 
it's so adorable, but what's up with the physics behind that? 
. The prices of basic goods are already super high and it's not like they're gonna magically go back down now. It feels like every time something bad happens, the economy just takes a hit 
. I mean, 80 deaths is crazy, and Maduro getting taken to the US... that's some intense drama 
. But at the same time, I'm glad people are taking care of themselves by stocking up on essentials 
. It's like they're trying to prepare for the worst, which kinda makes sense when you think about it 
.
is a huge number but I guess it's not surprising considering the state of the country right now 
prices are already crazy high 
and now they're even more out of control 
. I feel for the people who lost loved ones or have to live in fear of their lives every day 
. The US military attacking Venezuela is super concerning 
and with Maduro being taken into custody, it's hard to predict what's next 
but at this point, it feels like a long shot
. 130k% inflation is crazy, i can only imagine how hard it must be to afford even the basics, let alone anything else 
as a retiree, i've seen my fair share of economic downturns and i gotta say, it's like they're all piling up on top of each other 
.
I mean, who needs stability when you can have a good price for eggs, right? 10 bucks for a carton? That's like buying a new gaming console every month! 
But seriously, Venezuela's situation is super worrying. Like, have they even thought of inflation in their calculus? 
130k% inflation by 2018? How do you deal with that on a daily basis? I guess when life gives you lemons, make lemonade (with extremely high prices), right? 
, can you believe what's happening in Venezuela? It's all so unpredictable and scary 
. People are stocking up on non-perishables, it's crazy 
. And the prices, oh man... $10 for a carton of eggs? That's just insane 
. This is not what they need right now, especially after the elections 
. But let me ask you, what about the Venezuelan people's right to self-determination? Shouldn't their government be responsible for its own economic policies, rather than relying on external intervention?
Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure - this is no ordinary crisis, it's a crisis of governance 
. I can imagine how terrifying it must be for the people of Caracas, seeing their markets and businesses abandoned by store owners who are too scared to operate 
.
. It's like, one wrong move, and suddenly people are living in fear 
.
and the constant uncertainty about their future 
it takes time, effort, and commitment from all parties involved to rebuild trust and stability 
. And Maduro getting taken down? Nice try, Trump, but you ain't gonna solve the problem with some empty threats 
... it's no wonder ppl are stockpiling food and water 
. The US military might've gotten its revenge, but at what cost? I don't think anyone knows when or if Venezuela will ever get back to normal life 
i feel bad for the ppl, but at the same time, Maduro's gotta do something about this mess he can't just sit back and let Trump run wild 
I wonder if the US military was even gonna take out some of those corrupt officials who've been screwing over Venezuela all these years 
, 130,000 percent inflation in Venezuela by 2018? That's insane