Colombian designer Luis Orlando Ortega counts Venezuelan devalued and out of circulation banknotes Bolivares Fuertes at the main avenue of historic...
{"Image ImageDescription": "BOGOTA, COLOMBIA - MAY 18: Colombian designer Luis Orlando Ortega counts Venezuelan devalued and out of circulation banknotes Bolivares Fuertes at the main avenue of historic downtown Bogota, Colombia, on May 18, 2019. Mr. Ortega, 60 year-old, lived 43 years in Venezuela, returned to Colombia 2 years ago, escaping the economic and social crisis in Venezuela and now earns his living selling handicrafts made with the devalued Venezuelan Bolivares in the Colombian capital. Colombian and Venezuelan artists fold Venezuelan devalued banknotes into swans, baskets, model cars and purses or paint them with famous characters to offer them in the touristic area of La Candelaria. They use currencies out of circulation and also current legal banknotes of 2 and 5 Bolivares Soberanos (Sovereign Bolivar). On August 20, 2018, Venezuela changed its currency from Bolivar Fuerte (Strong Bolivar) to Sovereign Bolivar at a rate of 100,000 to 1. Due to hyperinflation, some Venezuelan banknotes are no longer found in circulation as their value decreased but remain legal tender. Cash is worth so little that banknotes are often burnt or thrown away. According to the World Economic Outlook report released by International Monetary Found on April 2019, Venezuela is expected to suffer this year a 10 million percent inflation raise, making it the most miserable economy in the world. As a consequence, some banknotes turned almost obsolete. (Photo by Guillermo Legaria/Getty Images)", "Image Copyright": "2019 Getty Images"}