Venezuelans living under threat of US military action say ‘we’re more worried about food’

While Nicolás Maduro’s government is on edge under U.S. President Donald Trump’s military threats, ordinary Venezuelans are spending their time thinking about what to eat every day.

It’s Wednesday morning at Quinta Crespo, a popular market in downtown Caracas. Here, the potential escalation of the conflict is not a major concern for Venezuelans, who watch the news while checking their wallets for enough cash to pay.

“There will be no intervention, nothing like that. What really bothers us is the appreciation of the dollar,” Alejandro Aureliano told BBC Mundo as he sipped his coffee and waited for customers who never seemed to arrive.

The Trump administration has deployed thousands of troops and military assets, including the world’s largest warship, within striking distance of Venezuela over the past few weeks. U.S. aviation authorities issued a notice on Friday warning of “increased military activity in or around Venezuela,” and at least four international airlines canceled flights in and out of the country on Saturday, Reuters and AFP reported.

Previously, the United States carried out a series of air strikes on ships suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of more than 80 people.

The government says it is part of a broader effort necessary to stem the flow of drugs into the United States, but Maduro insists the threats of force are aimed at ousting him from power.

Alejandro downplayed the rhetoric between Washington and Caracas.

He has been selling vegetables at this market for five years. “Look, look how empty it is here,” he pointed to a long, lone aisle filled with fresh fruits and vegetables.

Christmas carols are ringing, but the holiday spirit is dimmed.

The common enemy of the people is here: sharp rise in food prices and insufficient purchasing power. This is partly due to the bolivar’s rapid depreciation, which is set to lose 80% of its value this year, according to the International Monetary Fund.

For example, a kilogram of chicken costs about four times the official monthly minimum wage. Although the government provides bonuses to retirees and public employees, the money is still not enough to cover the cost of a basic food basket.

Consuelo, 74, is skeptical of an armed conflict with the United States and says Venezuelans cannot afford to stockpile food in preparation for war.

“Whatever happens, let it happen! Let it be!” she told the BBC, adding that worrying about the specter of war was not very helpful.

“Is this real? Is it fake? It just makes you sick and walking around feeling nervous, it’s better to stay calm. Emotions can also affect your health,” continued the retired university professor who is still working.

“I’m not doing any panic buying; you need a lot of money to do that.”

The BBC consulted two economists living in Venezuela for this report, who declined to comment for fear of government retaliation.

Another expert, who asked not to be named, noted that “inflation has reached levels of around 20% per month.”

The International Monetary Fund expects prices to rise 548% this year and says things will be worse in 2026, when they could soar to 629%, the highest figure on the continent.

Others see potential U.S. intervention as an opportunity for regime change but are afraid to talk about it publicly.

“We were scared and kept silent, afraid they would throw us in jail. I used to post things but now not anymore – and I shouldn’t – because I didn’t know who would report me,” a businessman from Ciudad Bolivar (southern Bolivar state) told the BBC by phone.

“There is hope, there is faith, but people are silent because of fear. You don’t hear anyone talking about it; just at home, with family, but there is a hint of joy,” the anonymous woman said.

Much of society has avoided speaking out about issues that may be sensitive to Maduro’s government after anti-government protests sparked by the disputed 2024 presidential election, which has been broadly rejected by the international community.

The opposition and many countries, including the United States, refused to accept the results and recognized opposition candidate Edmundo González as the legitimately elected president.

Official figures show more than 2,000 people were arrested after the election. According to the NGO Foro Penal, 884 people remain in prison for political reasons.

“We are all waiting for something to happen because it is fair and necessary,” said pastry chef Barbara Marrero, 40. “We have been living in absolute misery for years.

“Venezuelans wait day after day for something to happen, but everyone is afraid (to speak) and no one says anything.”

Esther Guevara, 53, who works in a medical laboratory, has made no secret of her concerns about the tense deployment of the U.S. Navy fleet.

“I’m worried because I really don’t know what’s going on – they could invade, attack… people think it’s going to be okay, but this is serious,” she said. “A lot of innocent people could die.”

“I feel like there’s something brewing out there, but I’m waiting,” she added.

It’s noon now.

It was business as usual on a busy boulevard in eastern Caracas. Street vendor selling. Pedestrians come and go.

Javier Jaramillo, 57, is looking for items to resell over Christmas. He was curious about the USS Washington, the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford, which had moved to the Caribbean.

“I don’t think an attack will happen. I think there could be a conversation, a deal or an agreement.”

Still, he said, when the power goes out, he thinks: “‘They’re already coming in,’ ‘They’re going to come in.'”

Trump said he was open to diplomatic dialogue with Maduro but said he would not rule out military action.

Regardless, Javier repeated: “We are more worried about food. The situation in Venezuela is terrible. Inflation is eating us.”