May Day marches flare as Venezuela’s Maduro hikes minimum wage 60%
Critics warn President Nicolas Maduro’s chaotic policies will further damage the economy
Caracas — Venezuelans poured onto the streets on Monday in rival May Day marches a day after socialist President Nicolas Maduro announced a 60% increase in the monthly minimum wage to counter the impact of biting triple-digit annual inflation. Maduro touts the move as evidence of strong worker protection under "21st-century Socialism". But foes say the increase, which takes the minimum wage to nearly $50 a month at the black market rate, is further proof of Maduro wrecking the oil-rich nation’s economy with chaotic policies such as currency controls and excessive money printing. Millions of Venezuelans are struggling to eat three square meals a day or afford basic medicines amid a fourth year of recession. "Who can stand this? So much hunger, misery, crime ... The prices are going up far more than the salary rises," said Sonia Lopez, a social security worker and mother-of-three at an anti-government rally in the poorer western side of Caracas. "There are days my kids eat, and days t...
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