# Venezuela economic and legal currency trends

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/venezuela-economic-and-legal-currency-trends
> Updated: 2026-11-09T15:51:24.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2.

Recent data and legal developments in Venezuela highlight the significant role of the US dollar in the national economy. A survey by the consultancy Poder y Estrategia indicates that 80% of respondents prefer to receive income in US dollars, with 89% of participants spontaneously expressing their monthly income in that currency. Despite this, 51% of citizens stated they would prefer to be paid in the national currency, the bolívar, if it held stable value and purchasing power.

On the legal front, the Civil Chamber of the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ) issued ruling number 501 to clarify debt obligations. The court ruled that debts explicitly agreed upon in foreign currency must be settled in that specific currency, unless a contract contains an explicit exception. This decision overturned a lower court ruling that had allowed a debtor to settle a 55,000 dollar obligation using the equivalent amount in bolívares.

## Timeline

### 2026-11-09: Venezuela Supreme Court rules dollar-denominated debts must be paid in foreign currency

Venezuela's Supreme Tribunal of Justice ruled that debts contracted exclusively in dollars must be paid in foreign currency, overturning a lower court decision that allowed payment in bolívares.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuela-supreme-court-rules-dollar-denominated-debts-must-be-paid-in-foreign-currency

### 2026-10-12: Venezuela survey shows dollar preference and high voter interest

A Poder y Estrategia survey shows 80% of Venezuelans prefer US dollars for income, while 67% express a high willingness to participate in potential regional elections.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuela-survey-shows-dollar-preference-and-high-voter-interest

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Cite as: Venezuela economic and legal currency trends. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/venezuela-economic-and-legal-currency-trends