Demand and logistics strengthen as inflation and FX slippage cloud the recovery
Vehicle sales and port activity point to firmer commerce, while bank credit continues to expand. But 20.3% monthly inflation, renewed bolívar depreciation and severe power cuts remain binding constraints; gas agreements and a promised 160 MW boost have yet to translate into operating capacity.
By the numbers
Inflation (MoM)
20.3%
Up 50.4% from 13.5%; 48.3% of the January 2023 peak
Official FX Rate
VES771.0714/USD
Up 0.55%; 101.9% of the 7 August peak
P2P USDT/VES Rate
VES886.99/USDT
Up 0.57%; 103.4% of the 7 August peak
Total Vehicle Sales
5,683 vehicles
Up 16.6% month on month
Venezuela Port Calls
242 calls
Up 15.2% month on month
Bank Credit-to-Deposits Ratio
61.1%
Up 7.4% from 56.9%
Companies & capital
Caracas job platform
More than 1,000 companies joined the employment platform following the earthquakes.
Mobile payments and POS providers
The central bank raised fees for mobile payments, checks and point-of-sale services.
What to watch
Week of 17 August 2026
Next official and parallel FX readings for signs that the 15.7% trust gap is widening.
Late August 2026
August banking data, particularly deposits and the credit-to-deposits ratio after July reached 61.1%.
Early September 2026
August vehicle sales and port calls to test whether July’s trade momentum held.
Within 90 days of 13 August 2026
Delivery of the announced 160 MW U.S. power boost amid outages lasting up to 12 hours.
Worth your time
- OFAC Issues and Updates Licenses for Venezuelan Energy and Mining
U.S. Treasury OFAC
- Venezuelan Government and Opposition Open U.S.-Backed Transition Talks
AFP via Voz
- OFAC Opens Path for Services Supporting a Potential Venezuelan Debt Restructuring
U.S. Treasury OFAC
- Congress Weighs Implications of U.S. Capture of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro
Congressional Research Service