Venezuelans Prioritize Food Security Over U.S. Military Threats

Sun Nov 23 2025 04:53:07 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In the face of heightened military tensions from the U.S., Venezuelans express more concern over daily food insecurity and economic challenges than the prospect of foreign intervention.

As the U.S. escalates military mobilization near Venezuela, everyday citizens like Alejandro Orellano share their primary concern: managing the rising costs of basic necessities like food. Amid soaring inflation and a struggling economy, many feel the threat of military action is less significant than their immediate financial needs. Despite the looming threat, daily life in Caracas continues, with residents showing resilience and pragmatism as they navigate their hardships amidst an atmosphere of uncertainty.

While Nicolás Maduro's government lives on edge under a military threat from U.S. President Donald Trump, ordinary Venezuelans spend their time trying to figure out what to eat each day.

It's Wednesday morning at Quinta Crespo, a popular market in downtown Caracas. Here, a possible escalation of the conflict is not the main concern of Venezuelans, who glance at the news while checking their wallets to find enough cash to pay.

There's not going to be an intervention, nothing like that. What's really troubling us is the rise of the dollar, Alejandro Orellano tells BBC Mundo as he savours a coffee, waiting for customers who never seem to arrive.

In the past weeks, Trump's government has deployed thousands of troops and military assets to within striking distance of Venezuela, including the world's largest warship. On Saturday, at least four international airlines cancelled flights into or out of the country after a Friday notice from U.S. aviation authorities warned of 'heightened military activity in or around Venezuela'.

This comes after a series of U.S. airstrikes against alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific killed more than 80 people. It's part of a broader effort the administration says is necessary to stem the flow of narcotics into the U.S., but Maduro insists the sabre-rattling is designed to push him out of office.

Alejandro downplays the rhetoric between Washington and Caracas. He's been selling vegetables in this market for five years. Look, look how empty this is, he insists, pointing to a long, lonely aisle full of fresh fruits and vegetables.

A Christmas carol plays, but the festive atmosphere feels overshadowed. The common enemy of the people is here: the sharp rise in food prices and the lack of purchasing power. In part, this is due to the rapid depreciation of the bolívar, which will have lost 80% of its value this year, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) figures.

Let whatever happens happen! And that's it! says Consuelo, a 74-year-old retiree, sceptical about an armed conflict with the U.S., adding that Venezuelans cannot afford to stock food in preparation for a war.

Much of society avoids speaking openly about issues that could be sensitive for Maduro's government, after a wave of arrests followed anti-government protests over the disputed 2024 presidential elections, which have been widely rejected by the international community. The opposition and many countries, including the U.S., rejected the result and recognised opposition candidate Edmundo González as the legitimate president-elect.