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Amid escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela, ordinary citizens in Caracas are more preoccupied with their daily financial struggles than the specter of a potential US invasion. While President Nicolás Maduro’s government remains on high alert due to military threats from US President Donald Trump, Venezuelans are focused on securing enough money to feed their families. At Quinta Crespo, a bustling market in downtown Caracas, the primary concern is not the geopolitical conflict but the rapid depreciation of the bolívar and soaring food prices. Alejandro Orellano, a vegetable vendor, dismisses the possibility of US intervention, stating, ‘What’s really troubling us is the rise of the dollar.’ The economic crisis has left many unable to afford basic necessities, with a kilo of chicken costing four times the official monthly minimum wage. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicts inflation will reach 548% this year, worsening to 629% in 2026. Despite government bonuses, retirees and public workers struggle to cover essential expenses. Consuelo, a 74-year-old retired professor, expresses skepticism about an armed conflict, emphasizing that panic buying is unaffordable for most. The political climate remains tense following the disputed 2024 presidential elections, which led to widespread arrests and international condemnation. Many Venezuelans, like pastry chef Barbara Marrero, live in fear of reprisals for speaking out. While some see a potential US intervention as an opportunity for regime change, others, like Javier Jaramillo, remain focused on the immediate economic crisis. ‘We’re more worried about food,’ he says. ‘Inflation is eating us alive.’ Despite the uncertainty, daily life continues in Caracas, with street vendors and pedestrians navigating the challenges of a nation in turmoil.

The United Nations Climate Summit, COP30, held in Belém, Brazil, concluded with a contentious agreement that notably omitted direct references to fossil fuels, the primary drivers of global warming. This outcome has left over 80 nations, including the UK and EU, deeply frustrated, as they had pushed for a stronger commitment to phase out oil, coal, and gas. Oil-producing nations, however, successfully defended their stance, arguing for the right to utilize fossil fuel resources to bolster their economies. The summit unfolded against a grim backdrop, with the UN expressing concerns that global efforts to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels have faltered. Colombia’s climate delegate, Daniela Durán González, voiced sharp criticism, emphasizing that fossil fuels account for over 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions and urging the Convention on Climate Change to address this reality. The final agreement, dubbed the Mutirão, encourages countries to voluntarily accelerate efforts to reduce fossil fuel usage. The absence of the US delegation, following President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, was a significant blow to negotiations, according to veteran negotiator Jennifer Morgan. Despite the lack of ambition, many countries found solace in the fact that the talks did not collapse or undermine past climate agreements. The summit was marred by logistical challenges, including flooding, a fire, and protests, but also saw progress in climate finance commitments and forest conservation initiatives, such as Brazil’s Tropical Forests Forever Facility, which raised $6.5 billion.