VENEZUELA: Opposition launches two-day nationwide strike

Opposition leaders in Venezuela have called on workers to stay at home on Wednesday and Thursday as part of a nationwide strike. It is the latest protest against President Nicolás Maduro’s plans to convene a constituent assembly. Elections to choose the members of the assembly will be held on Sunday despite calls by international leaders […]

Opposition leaders in Venezuela have called on workers to stay at home on Wednesday and Thursday as part of a nationwide strike.

It is the latest protest against President Nicolás Maduro’s plans to convene a constituent assembly. Elections to choose the members of the assembly will be held on Sunday despite calls by international leaders and the opposition to cancel them.

Critics say the assembly is a ploy by the president to expand his powers.

President Maduro says the constituent assembly will promote peace and reconciliation by bringing sectors of Venezuela’s polarised society together to discuss a new constitution.

But tensions have increased since the announcement with the opposition refusing to take part in the elections for the assembly, which they say is a tool for Mr Maduro to entrench himself in power.