근로소득이 없는 은퇴자에게 가장 무서운 것은 인플레이션이다.

Hyperinflation에 시달리고 있는 베네즈웰라는 올해만 13,800%의 물가상승률을 기록했다. (베네즈웰라도 석유생산으로 96%이상의 수입을 올리는 남미국가중 하나인데, 올해 30년만에 석유생산량은 최저수준으로 급감했고, IMF는 경제가 붕괴된 상태라고 경고했다) 당장 현금으로 1만 bolivar를 주고 살수 있는 물건을 신용카드로 사려면 4만 bolivar를 주어야 살 수있다.

출처 : https://amp.rappler.com/world/regions/latin-america/207656-venezuela-senior-citizens-demand-pension-checks?__twitter_impression=true

That might get him 15 eggs but it's a quarter of his monthly income in a country with dizzying hyperinflation.

It could top 13,800 percent this year, the IMF says.

Currency notes are in very short supply; in some markets food and other basic goods can be purchased for 3 times less if the buyer pays cash.

So seniors are desperate to stretch their income by paying in cash.

Octo says he often has to get up at 3 am to go wait outside the bank and withdraw money.

"If we have to pay with a card, we are getting robbed," Octo explained. What could cost 10,000 bolivars in cash costs 40,000 with a card.

"Mr President (Nicolas Maduro), it's time for you to take responsibility," he said.

With the economy barely functional, food in short supply and hunger rampant, the seniors took turns chanting "WE WANT CASH."

On June 20, Maduro raised monthly pensions for seniors to 4.2 million bolivars. But a pound of meat costs 5 million.

"A banana and a plantain is what I can get with that money," grumbled Eulice Bolivar to AFP.

"The elderly are out protesting because they need their money. They need their food. There is too much hunger in Venezuela," she said. – Rappler.com