Caracas: Venezuelans blocked off deserted streets Wednesday as a 48-hour opposition-led general strike aimed at thwarting embattled President Nicolas Maduro’s controversial plans to rewrite the country’s constitution got underway.
“No more dictatorship!” read signs on barricades in eastern Caracas, as the strike kicked off at 6 am (1000 GMT) in the country’s capital and other cities.
“Enough with the apathy,” said Maria Auxiliadora in Caracas. “Every time we’re worse off, with long lines and shortages. I think I’ll strike for 48 hours.”
Prominent opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez made a direct appeal to the military early Wednesday to withdraw its support from Maduro’s plan which he called a “constitutional fraud” aimed at eliminating democratic rule.
The military, along with the courts, has proved to be a key pillar of support for Maduro through months of deadly street protests and an economic collapse that has led to widespread shortages and public anger.
On Sunday, tensions between the two sides are expected to come to a head.
That’s when Maduro is to hold a controversial election to choose 545 members for a body, called the Constituent Assembly, tasked with rewriting the constitution drafted under his late predecessor Hugo Chavez.
Some 70 per cent of Venezuelans are opposed to the Constituent Assembly, according polling firm Datanalisis.
Uncertainty reigned on the eve of the strike, with some Venezuelans stocking up on provisions and thousands of others leaving completely.
Eugenia Santandar in Caracas said she bought canned and frozen food to ride out the political storm: “We must prepare ourselves not to die of hunger,” she said.
Thousands more loaded with heavy bags crossed the border into Colombia.
“The elections are on Sunday and we really don’t know what will happen,” said Maria de los Angeles Pichardo, who left with her husband and son. “To be safe, we prefer to cross.”
The opposition has also planned to hold a major demonstration in Caracas on Friday.
Opposition leader Henrique Capriles called on Venezuelans to give it their all during that march and the 48-hour general strike: “Maduro wants to isolate Venezuela from the democratic world,” he warned.
Four months of persistent street protests against Maduro have left more than 100 people dead. — AFP
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