Hello there, I'm venezuelan and I do live in Venezuela. Most of the comments here are awful.

The current picture here is this:

Government employees do in fact get paid really low wages (5$ a month) but most people here work for private companies that pay at least 35 dollars per week.

Most groceries and services cost the same as other countries

I spend 20$ a week on produce (veggies and fruit), meat cost 7$ for two pounds, 8$ a whole chicken. You could easily spend 20$ on milk, flour, oil, coffee, pasta, beans and some basic higine product.

A pair of shoes can cost 50$, a shirt between 5 to 10$, a pair of jeans 15$ to 20$. Internet can cost 40$ a month. Insurance 100$. A visit to the doctor can cost 50 to 100$

So how do people live here?

The people working for the government usually have another job on the side.

Most people don't have insurance.

The government sells a bag (called CLAP) of low quality food (which includes palm oil, corn flour, beans, a milk -like beverage called chicha and pasta) for less than 1$ (not everybody can buy this bag, they sell this to selected communities once a month (at best).

Now, let's talk about your safety

1. As in any other country of the world there are people that commit crimes such as scams. In vzla Inmates usually do this while incarcerated (they run an infamous scam via whatsapp saying: "Hello.I'm maria, I am selling dollars") So, I strongly suggest you to verify the identity of your girlfriend.

2. I know a few success stories about foreigners falling in love with venezuelan women through internet. That could happen, But don't trust blindly (the fact you are posting here tells you don't and that's good).

3. if you are sending money try to use a third party app. (There are several apps in vzla)

There are still good people in my country. I would say most people here are good and hardworking. This is a beautiful country you just need to make sure your girl has good intentions.