World Business Report What’s daily life like in post-Maduro Venezuela?
Jan 5, 2026
Guest
Suryanthana Tiwari / K-Beauty correspondent
Guest
Darshini David / Michelle Fleury (business correspondents)
Guest
Venezuelan residents (Wilma, Angela, Pedro — anonymised)
Guest
Francisco R. Rodríguez
Guest
Patricia Garrap
Patricia Garrap and Francisco Rodriguez provide insights into Venezuela's turbulent daily life post-Maduro. Residents share harrowing experiences with queues, high food prices, and safety concerns. They discuss the faltering oil industry and the state's need for heavy investment due to sanctions and corruption. Meanwhile, the podcast shifts focus to the meteoric rise of K-Beauty, revealing South Korea's booming cosmetics market and its ability to rapidly adapt to global trends.
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Episode notes
Grocery Lines, Guards And Price Shock
- Wilma in Caracas described stores admitting five people at a time and hiring guards to prevent looting.
- She said corn flour jumped from $1.15 to about $3 and she couldn’t afford to leave her bedroom.
Empty Streets Except For Food Buyers
- Angela said her city had almost no cars and people only left to buy food during the worst days.
- She described large supermarket queues, soldiers guarding stores and friends too afraid to go out.
Fearful Shopping Trip In Maracaibo
- Pedro in Maracaibo compared the mood to a fearful New Year's Day with people quiet and scared.
- He noted local prices fell 20–30% in his area but public fear suppressed conversation.