Caracas — Venezuela said on Thursday it had arrested 11 top executives of the country’s leading private bank, Banesco, for "attacks" against the country’s rapidly depreciating currency, the struggling oil cartel Opec nation’s latest move against the private sector. The oil-rich nation is suffering hyperinflation and a steady collapse of the bolivar currency, which President Nicolás Maduro attributes to an "economic war" but his critics say are the result of incompetence and failed socialist policies. "We have determined the presumed responsibility [by the executives] for a series of irregularities, for aiding and concealing attacks against the Venezuelan currency with the aim of demolishing the Venezuelan currency," said chief prosecutor Tarek Saab in a televised press conference. He did not provide evidence or take questions. Reuters was unable to immediately obtain comment from Banesco. Banesco’s president, Juan Carlos Escotet, has been the frequent target of criticism by ruling p...
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