Caracas — Venezuela’s streets were quieter than normal on Tuesday but many businesses remained open despite an opposition call for a national strike to protest against economic measures announced by socialist President Nicolas Maduro. The nation cut five zeros from prices on Monday in response to hyperinflation as part of a broad set of measures meant to tackle an economic crisis, including pegging the country’s currency to a 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 across the country. "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 Monday a national holiday for banks and consumers to get accustomed to the new pricing scheme. The intervention means items that cost 1,000,000 bolivars las...
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