Black Friday Crowds in Venezuela Highlight Deepening Economic Crisis
CARACAS – Despite a severe economic crisis,large crowds formed at stores across Venezuela for Black Friday sales,a scene sharply contrasted by widespread poverty adn a rapidly devaluing currency. The event underscores the growing disconnect between commercial activity and the daily struggles of many Venezuelans, who question their ability to afford basic necessities even with government bonuses.
A recent tweet from the account @MADUROESTALOCO on November 28, 2025, highlighted this disparity, questioning whether citizens could afford Black Friday purchases with a “war bonus” and a 130 bolivar pension, given the challenges of affording food and medicine.
The commercial enthusiasm unfolds against a backdrop of critically important economic instability. Economist José Guerra warns of an accelerating deterioration of the bolivar and inflation potentially reaching 420% to 500% by year’s end, with the risk of a new hyperinflationary episode. “If the dollar continues to increase between 0.60% and 0.90% daily, inflation may approach 1,000%,” Guerra cautioned.
According to Guerra,general poverty could reach 76.2%,while extreme poverty could climb to 48.7%. The widening gap between official and parallel exchange rates further reflects a lack of confidence in the bolivar and the continuation of a de facto dollarized economy.
Adding to the economic pressures, the government of Nicolás Maduro on Wednesday revoked flight permits for Iberia, TAP, Avianca, Latam Colombia, Turkish Airlines, and Gol, accusing them of ”joining terrorist actions” promoted by the United States. This action followed a similar suspension by the airlines after the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a warning advising “extreme caution” when flying over venezuela and the southern Caribbean due to a “potentially risky situation.”
The situation occurs amid an unusual US military deployment in the Caribbean, including the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R.Ford, and the US designation of the cartel of the Suns – linked to Maduro – as a terrorist association. Former President Donald Trump recently stated he had not yet decided whether to bomb Venezuelan infrastructure or directly attack Maduro, but indicated a willingness to engage in talks “to save lives.” Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab described the possibility of dialog as “welcome.”
