How Bartering Works in Western Caracas
The precarious trades carried out by the most humble people have become impossible, so many resort to pre-modern ways of survival, just to stay alive
Economy
Instagram: The Emerging Market of Venezuelan Entrepreneurs
With the brick and mortar stores out of reach and the disintegration of the commercial network, many people are launching small businesses and the picture-sharing network is their marketplace
Making a Buck Off the Quarantine
The weight of the black market in what’s left of the Venezuelan economy has been growing for years. But the pandemic added new trades—as honest as the circumstances allow
The Case of the Venezuelan Gold in England
Nicolás Maduro’s regime is officially barred from accessing the Venezuelan gold stored at the Bank of England. But what could be perceived as a clear victory for the opposition is actually a maze
Maduro Turned to Iran for Gasoline. It Wasn’t Enough
It’s been over a month since the Iranian fuel tankers brought gasoline to our country. What’s next? Here are the answers to key questions
No More Fancy Fish in Margarita
The dollar dynamics have changed the fishing industry on the island. The best fish is sold abroad for greenbacks and very few locals can enjoy the juiciest catch
Chavismo as Savage Capitalism
Oil wealth will be replaced by a private production network that will serve the mafias that keep the dictatorship standing. What’s happening with gas is only the first step
Zelle For the People
A Colombia-based startup developed an app that would allow Venezuelans to engage in electronic transactions in dollars without having a bank account in the U.S. Too good to be true?
Venezuela: Where Scarcity Becomes Business
There’s a black market for everything. Venezuelans will always find ways to trade with anything scarce, from food to DirecTV kits
Cannabis in Caracas: Another Market Altered by the Pandemic
Illegal economies are also buckling in the face of fuel shortages, checkpoints and the closing of our borders. The price of cannabis has gone through the roof during the quarantine
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