CARACAS—Venezuela’s opposition called on Monday for a national shutdown against President Nicolas Maduro in a major escalation of protests against a socialist government it accuses of flouting the people’s will.
“We are not going to allow the destruction of Venezuela. The whole country overwhelmingly rejects the Maduro regime,” said opposition leader Freddy Guevara, announcing the first 24-hour strike in nearly four months of anti-government demonstrations that have led to some 100 deaths.
The opposition—which wants restaurants, shops and transport to come to a standstill on Thursday—said it would also take steps to set up a “national unity” government and name new alternative judges to the pro-Maduro Supreme Court.
Freddy Guevara, first Vice-President of the National Assembly and lawmaker of the Venezuelan coalition of opposition parties (MUD), talks to the media during a news conference in Caracas, Venezuela July 17, 2017. Reuters/Carlos Garcia Rawlins
