According to the Central Bank of Venezuela (CBV), 200 million bills of the Strong Bolivar have been distributed and will enter into circulation on January 1.

The population will have six months to change over before the old currency loses its value. The equivalent of US$ 1, currently 2,150 Bolivars, will now become 2.15 strong Bolivars, reported Granma newspaper.

A week before the new currency goes into circulation, the CBV continues dispensing the new money to regional distribution centers and from there to the different banks, said CBV Director Armando Leon.