BCV Data Shows June Inflation Doubles to 13.8% as Bolívar Slides Past 720/USD

Venezuela's Central Bank (BCV) reported that monthly inflation more than doubled to 13.8% in June — the third-highest monthly reading of 2026 (behind January's 32.6% and February's 14.6%) and the first double-digit month since February — ending five months of gradually slowing prices. Accumulated inflation for the first half of 2026 reached 129.8%. Independent economists, including José Guerra, attributed the spike primarily to an accelerating bolívar devaluation — the currency weakened from roughly 620 to 720 per US dollar within weeks — rather than to the June 24 earthquakes directly, though relief-goods demand may have added marginal pressure in a heavily dollarized economy. By sector, transport prices rose fastest (16.2%), followed by education (15.2%) and housing services (14.9%). The BCV did not officially explain the currency move.