Production, consumer spending and commercial activity continue to expand despite U.S. blockade.

On Tuesday, Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodriguez participated virtually in the opening of the 2026 World Retailers Congress, an event organized by the National Association of Supermarkets and Self-Service Stores (ANSA).

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During the opening ceremony, she highlighted that the Venezuelan economy is experiencing strong growth despite the U.S. blockade. According to estimates by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the country’s gross domestic product will grow by 6.5% by the end of 2026.

Rodriguez noted that the economic recovery is reflected in fully stocked shelves, with product availability reaching 98%, a figure not recorded in the past 20 years. “I want to emphasize that 90% of the products on store shelves are Venezuelan products,” she said.

Currently, Venezuela has a commercial network that includes 1,600 supermarkets, 73 hypermarkets and 6,000 pharmacies that guarantee the population access to food and medicines.

Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodriguez meets with the President of the Republic of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. As part of her official working agenda, the acting president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez, held a high-level bilateral meeting with… pic.twitter.com/eTyLEu0w5x

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) June 8, 2026

The public sector accounts for 37% of the country’s food distribution, with logistical capacity allowing the distribution of up to 30,000 tons of supplies in a single weekend.

During the first five months of 2026, real consumer spending grew by 28% compared with the same period in 2025, demonstrating the vitality of domestic purchasing power, the Venezuelan acting president said.

She also highlighted that the commercial sector generates 644,000 direct jobs, registrations of new businesses increased by 147%, and the incorporation of new brands grew by 49%.

This year, the Venezuelan economy will complete 21 consecutive quarters of growth, Economy Vice Minister Calixto Ortega estimated, based on data from credit and debit card transactions.

Acting President of #Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez, stated that #ECLAC projects 6.5% growth for Venezuela at the opening of the 2026 World Retailers Congress. The acting president noted that the country is on the road to recovery, with first-quarter growth of 2.1%. #teleSUREnglish pic.twitter.com/YTSNubdUbM

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) June 23, 2026

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Sources: Presidential Press – teleSUR

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