Venezuelans worried about economic turmoil shun Black Friday deals

Venezuelan Shoppers Skip Black Friday as Economic Struggles Trump Military Threats

The corridors of a popular mall in Caracas remained eerily quiet this Black Friday, despite store windows advertising 30% discounts and shoes for $20. Even the newly opened H&M store, which would typically draw crowds on such a shopping holiday, stood virtually empty during morning hours.

Venezuela’s deepening economic crisis, rather than growing tensions with the United States, appears to be keeping shoppers away. The stark contrast to previous post-pandemic years, when enthusiastic customers formed lines outside stores, highlights how economic survival has become the primary focus for most citizens.

“The country’s economy is based on day-to-day survival. What do I do to survive today and live tomorrow?” said physician Luisa Torrealba while standing outside an appliance store. “We don’t have the luxury of stopping because there’s going to be a war, because there’s a psychological war going on, because the government says one thing or the United States says another.”

Just one day before Black Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump escalated pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro during a Thanksgiving address to troops. Trump suggested that the military could “very soon” begin striking alleged drug-trafficking targets within Venezuela. This represents a potential escalation of an ongoing U.S. military operation that has already killed 80 people in strikes against vessels in international waters in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, some of which reportedly departed from Venezuelan shores.

Since returning to office, Trump has intensified his campaign against Maduro, doubling the reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest on narcoterrorism charges to $50 million. The Venezuelan president, who denies these accusations, has repeatedly claimed that U.S. military operations are designed to force regime change in his country.

While geopolitical tensions simmer, Venezuela’s economic problems continue to worsen. According to the International Monetary Fund, the country’s annual inflation rate reached 270% last month. The financial reality for most Venezuelans is dire – families now need more than $500 monthly for basic necessities, yet the country’s minimum wage remains frozen at 130 bolivars (approximately $0.52) since 2022. This falls dramatically below the United Nations’ extreme poverty threshold of $2.15 per day.

Most public sector employees survive on roughly $160 per month, while private sector workers earn an average of about $237, according to the independent Venezuelan Observatory of Finances.

These economic hardships were evident at the Caracas mall on Friday. Marian García had expected to find crowds outside a shoe store advertising footwear for $20 – an exceptional deal considering boots typically cost between $60 and $80, representing more than 10% of her household’s combined monthly income.

“It’s difficult to indulge in luxuries,” said García, 26. “Due to the current economic situation, people are cutting back and only spending on the essentials, such as food.”

Yarbelis Revilla, who juggles three jobs and considers herself an expert bargain hunter, also explored the mall for shoe discounts. After checking multiple stores, she concluded that many of this year’s Black Friday offers weren’t particularly compelling given the economic context.

Revilla acknowledged that shopping for shoes might seem like “vanity” amid Venezuela’s crisis, but explained that she works diligently to meet her needs and avoids dwelling on uncertain futures.

“I am a Christian, and the Bible says, ‘Do not worry. Do not make plans for the future because you won’t really know what’s coming,'” she said.

The subdued Black Friday in Venezuela illustrates how the country’s protracted economic crisis has fundamentally altered consumer behavior. With inflation soaring and wages stagnating, most Venezuelans have been forced to prioritize immediate survival needs over seasonal shopping, regardless of international tensions or potential military actions. For now, the daily struggle to afford food and medicine remains their primary concern.