Venezuela’s streets were quieter than normal yesterday but many businesses remained open despite an opposition call for a national strike to protest economic measures announced by socialist President Nicolas Maduro.
The Opec nation on Monday cut five zeros from prices in response to hyperinflation as part of a broad set of measures meant to address an economic crisis, including pegging the country’s currency to an obscure state-backed cryptocurrency.
Opposition critics slammed the plan as inadequate in the face of inflation that topped 82,000% in July and called for a one-day halt of commercial activities.
“Don’t go to work, you have the right to protest, because what’s at stake is your life, your future, and your country.
Rebel!” opposition party Popular Will wrote via its Twitter account. Maduro declared on Monday a national holiday for banks and consumers to get accustomed to the new pricing scheme, under which items that cost 1,000,000 bolivars last week were remarked with price tags of 10 bolivars.
Fedecamaras, the country’s main business group, slammed the proposal as “incoherent,” noting that the plan’s 3,000% minimum wage increase would make it impossible for businesses to keep their doors open.
The Information Ministry did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
The ruling Socialist Party announced a march yesterday morning to support Maduro’s economic measures that was scheduled to end with a rally at the presidential palace. The collapse of the country’s once-booming economy has fuelled hunger and disease, spurring an exodus of migrants to nearby countries.
In recent days, Ecuador and Peru tightened visa requirements for Venezuelans and violence drove hundreds of Venezuelan migrants back across the border with Brazil.
The discontent has also spread to the military, as soldiers struggle to get enough food and many desert by leaving the country.
Two high-ranking military officers were arrested this month for alleged involvement in drone explosions during a speech by Maduro, who called it an assassination attempt.
Maduro says his government is the victim of an “economic war” led by the opposition with the help of Washington, which last year levied several rounds of sanctions against his government and high-ranking officials.






















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