(Photo: AFP)CARACAS - Inflation in Venezuela soared to 475% 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 270%, figures released by the central bank showed on Friday. Accumulated inflation for the first two months of 2026 stood at nearly 52%, said the bank, which had not released inflation figures in over a year. “This inflation is killing us,” said Eduardo Sanchez, a leader of the teachers’ union, blaming poor economic policies. Tamara Herrera, director of the Sintesis Financiera consulting firm, said she expected inflation to fall to a little over 100% this year.

Source: Bangkok Post March 07, 2026 12:22 UTC