Venezuela’s violent strike enters second day as people flee the country
Caracas — A general strike entered its second day in Venezuela on Thursday as street protests left two more people dead in an intensifying showdown over President Nicolas Maduro’s plan to rewrite the nation’s constitution. Prosecutors said a man was shot to death in the west of the country, and a 14-year-old boy was killed in Caracas’s Petare neighbourhood, a sprawling slum in the eastern end of the city. With the approach of controversial elections on Sunday of a 545-seat constituent assembly to rewrite the constitution, the opposition and the Maduro government skirmished in the streets. Barricades made from debris dotted eastern Caracas and signs were up that read "No more dictatorships!" Maduro says a new constitution is the only way to bring peace, but the opposition is vehemently opposed, fearing a power grab to keep the embattled leftist government in power. "What happens if they impose the constituent assembly? The crisis will worsen. Where does Maduro want to take the countr...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.