Venezuela hardship persists after Maduro's capture

Venezuelans are still facing high prices, low wages and power cuts eight months after US forces captured Nicolas Maduro, with early relief over his fall giving way to frustration over the economy.

The country remains in crisis despite reform efforts by interim leader Delcy Rodriguez. Venezuela has been under de facto dollarization since 2019 because of the bolivar's devaluation, and annual inflation in bolivars is near 575 percent.

Marbelis Daliz, a 54-year-old pastry chef, said hopes after Maduro's ouster had faded as her business struggles with inflation and blackouts. Activist Zaida Mujica said the removal of Maduro had not brought benefits for ordinary people.

Rodriguez has opened several sectors to foreign and private capital, and official figures show daily oil production has risen by almost 29.8 percent since January. Jose Manuel Puente, a professor at the Institute of Advanced Studies in Administration, said political change alone was not enough to create economic stability and growth.

The crisis was worsened by two earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela on June 24, killing more than 6,500 people, injuring thousands more and destroying hundreds of buildings.

Some Venezuelans say they feel less afraid to criticise politics publicly than they did under Maduro. The interim government is taking part in US-backed political transition talks with selected opposition figures with a view to eventually holding elections.

But former political prisoner Jerry Ostos said the government still keeps people jailed for dissent. The government says it has released 1,046 political prisoners since January, while the NGO Foro Penal says almost 400 remain behind bars.