The prices of some life-saving medicines have soared to levels that are unaffordable for ordinary people in Venezuela, as the United States has ramped up military presence in the Caribbean off Venezuela's coast, alongside escalating sanctions, blockades and military threats against the oil-rich South American nation since late August.
At a northeastern suburb in the capital city Caracas, locals can still purchase most of the commonly used medicines at a major supermarket, where some antibiotics have been sold out, and some first-aid medicines and supplies have become too costly for ordinary residents.
"I'm here mainly to buy antibiotics. I have problems with my lungs. But I can't get all I want, such as vancomycin," said a resident named Alfonso.
"(Recent tensions have affected) the supplies and prices of drugs. The prices of cancer drugs, insulin drugs and albumin are very high, and most patients here cannot afford them," said Giovanna Gonzalez, a pharmacist with the supermarket.
Around 90 percent of the raw materials for drugs in Venezuela rely on imports, and the country's medical equipment such as monitors and anesthesia machines are almost entirely dependent on overseas supplies.
Main international airlines suspended flights to and from Venezuela in November, and U.S. blockades have delayed many cargo ships for a month, with some refusing to dock in Venezuela for safety concerns.
"Venezuela has been caught in the complex humanitarian emergency declared by the World Health Organization for about 10 years. If the suspension of flights persists, relevant international companies will have to choose more difficult or longer transportation routes, which will further push up the already high prices of medicines and medical equipment in Venezuela, and the patients will pay more money," said Huniades Urbina-Medina, president of the National Academy of Medicine of Venezuela.
Venezuela's medicine prices soar to unaffordable level amid US blockades
Russia said on Friday that its armed forces had carried out strikes on Ukrainian military-industrial sites, energy facilities, transport infrastructure, and armories over the past week, while Ukraine on the same day reported intercepting more than 500 drones and destroying Russian weapons.
The Russian Ministry of Defense said in Friday's report that its forces had advanced in Sumy, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia in a week, and has taken control of eight settlements.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine said on Saturday that Russian armed forces had targeted the country's Ukrainian energy system, triggering power outages in Kiev City, Kiev Oblast, and Chernihiv Oblast.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on Friday that 121 combat engagements had taken place along the front lines in the day. Ukrainian forces have struck Russian troop assembly areas and other objectives, destroying Russian tanks, armored vehicles, artillery, and other military equipment while intercepting over 500 Russian drones, according to the announcement.
On diplomatic developments, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Friday that the 20-point peace plan that Kiev is reportedly proposing differs significantly from the one that Moscow and Washington are working on. He stressed that Moscow remains committed to the negotiating framework agreed upon during meetings between the leaders of Russia and the United States.
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the same day that Russia hopes talks with Washington on Ukraine can deliver concrete outcomes, but Moscow is not prepared to compromise on its core positions.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that he plans to meet U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday in Florida. According to Zelensky, the talks will focus on security guarantees for Ukraine as well as several "sensitive" issues.
Russia claims multi-directional advancements against Ukraine, Ukraine reports massive drone interception
