Venezuela

**Venezuela**, officially the **Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela**, is a country in northern South America. The official language is Spanish, and the capital city is Caracas. 

Other languages spoken in Venezuela include Carib, Guahibo, Warao, Wayuu, Pemon, and Piaroa.

In January 2026, the U.S. military took the president of Venezuela out of the country;  He gave answers in a U.S. court (January 5).

## Geography 
The geography includes the islands in the Caribbean Sea, coastal areas, highlands, and parts of the Andes Mountains. Angel Falls is the world's tallest waterfall. It is in the Bolivar state.

## Economy 
Venezuela's economy is based on oil, cotton, cocoa, sugar, coffee, and tobacco.

Venezuela has one of the largest oil supplies in the world, and it produces a large amount of oil. It also has a very large supply of fossil fuels, gasoline, and minerals.

The government's main source of income in foreign currencies, has been coming "for a while" (as of 2026's first quarter), from export of oil.

There are shortages in the country; About "80% of [the people or] residents ... live in poverty", according to estimates (2025).

There are economic sanctions against Venezuela [as of 2026's first quarter]; The sanctions are coming from the United States [and some other countries]. The sanctions are costing Venezuela, billions of euro, every year.

In regard to inflation: It is between "20% and 30% a month", according to an estimate quoted (November 2025) by a media outlet; The estimate is for the capital city. started in 2010 (and has been ongoing for .)

The 2026 United States strikes in Venezuela, happened; An invasion lasted for two hours and twenty minutes (January 3). That U.S. force left Venezuela, later that day.

## Politics
The government has interior minister, foreign minister and defense minister; The oil minister's post (or job) is held by the vice president (as of 2026's first quarter).

On January 5, 2026, the Rodríguez cabinet (or government) held its first official meeting.

## Demographics 
The population of Venezuela is about 28,000,000 people. The ethnicities of the population are:
* 65%: Multiracial.
* 20%: European.
* 10%: African.
* 5%: Amerindian.

## Other information 
### Foreign relations 
United States–Venezuela relations. The U.S. secretary-of-state and Venezuela's acting president talked [on the phone], on January 3, 2026. Earlier that day, the U.S. military did an invasion, that ended the same day. Earlier (2025), the U.S. started attacks from the air, against what was thought to be drug boats. The attacks were part of a military buildup in the Caribbean Sea. Earlier that year, the US government said that gangs such as  Cartel of the Suns, and Tren de Aragua, are terrorist organizations. Earlier (2019), the U.S.  took away its diplomats from the U.S. embassy in Caracas. Earlier that year, Venezuela's president said that the Venezuelan embassy "and all consulates in the U.S. would be closed", according to media.

## Gallery

File:Paseo los Proceres 2012 000.jpg|Los Próceres, Caracas - Distrito Capital
File:Plaza Francia e inmediaciones (Altamira) 2013 002.JPG|Plaza Francia – Miranda state
File:1 Bolivar 2007 BsF.jpg|Coin
File:Planetario Humboldt 2012 004.JPG|Humboldt planetary (Caracas)
File:Orquidea 2003 005.jpg|Cattleya mossiae
File:Busto de perfil de Simon Bolivar 5 cent 1893.jpg|Stamp 1893
File:Puerto Ayacucho 1998.jpg|Puerto Ayacucho – Amazonas state
|Bolívar square, El Tigre - Anzoátegui state
|Medanos from Capanaparo savanna – Apure state
File:Alcaldia de Ciudad de Nutrias 2001.jpg|Puerto Nutrias – Barinas state

## Related pages 
*List of ongoing armed conflicts

## References