Venezuela inflation hit 475pc in 2025, the world's highest level

CARACAS, Mar 07 (AFP): Venezuelan inflation soared to 475 per cent in 2025, the highest in the world, driven by a tightening of US sanctions in the lead up to the ouster of leader Nicolas Maduro.

Full-year inflation far exceeded the International Monetary Fund's forecast of 269.9 per cent, figures released by the central bank showed Friday.

Accumulated inflation for the first two months of 2026 stood at nearly 52 per cent, the bank, which had not released inflation figures in over a year, said.

It did not issue a forecast for the remainder of 2026. Venezuela's economy was hammered last year by President Donald Trump's campaign of maximum pressure on longtime foe Maduro. Washington eventually deposed the authoritarian socialist leader on January 3 in a US special forces' raid on Caracas and has since eased sanctions.

Washington and Caracas have vowed to resume full diplomatic ties and jointly develop the country's vast oil and mineral reserves as part of a lightning-fast thaw after years of emnity. But many Venezuelans say they have yet to see the results on exorbitant prices for basic goods like food and medicine.

"I have to hop from one supermarket to another. It shouldn't be like this."