2 protesters killed as Venezuela holds nationwide strike

International Desk: A nationwide strike brought parts of Venezuela to a halt Thursday as the opposition ramped up its challenge to President Nicolas Maduro that has already seen four months of deadly street protests and threats of US economic sanctions.

Two young men were killed in separate demonstrations, according to prosecutors: a 24-year-old on the outskirts of Caracas and a 23-year-old in the city of Valencia. That brought the death toll since April to 99.

Thursday's 24-hour stoppage affected areas of the capital and other regions, including the country's second-biggest city of Maracaibo, with businesses shuttered, public transport stalled and streets often deserted.

Opposition demonstrators clashed with riot police in parts of Caracas, and set a police booth on fire. There were several arrests.

Stones were also thrown at the headquarters of VTV state television.

"It doesn't matter losing a day's work if we're losing the country," said one striker, a 34-year-old owner of a small Caracas construction firm who only gave his first name, Omar.

"I'm joining the strike to rescue the little remaining for us, to increase pressure" on Maduro, he said.

By backing the opposition's "final offensive" against the president, company owners taking part risked government reprisals.

In pro-government parts of the capital, however, life went on as normal.

Some workers in public offices were reluctant to take part, scared it would cost them their jobs.

Source: Agencies



risingbd/July 21, 2017/Mukul