Venezuela General Strike Closes Shops, Banks

Shops and banks were closed Thursday and labor activists roamed the streets to enforce a 12-hour general strike to protest government austerity measures. At a McDonald’s restaurant, fistfights broke out between labor and management.

It was this country’s first general strike in 31 years of democracy. The strike organizer, the Confederation of Venezuelan Workers, claimed that it paralyzed the nation.

But Interior Minister Alejandro Izaguirre appeared on television to declare that “the country is completely normal.” He called on strikers to “respect the rights of all Venezuelans.”

In downtown Caracas, strike supporters surrounded a McDonald’s, breaking windows and forcing the restaurant to close.

“Close it down! Down with the gringos!” shouted about 200 members of so-called “dissuasive brigades,” labor activists dispatched to roam the streets and enforce the work stoppage.

“Up with McDonald’s! This is a free country!” customers shouted back.

Fistfights broke out between union members and store managers. Troops were sent in to cordon off the store.

The brigades also forced the closing of several banks that defied the strike call.

The 3 million-member confederation called the strike to protest austerity measures that prompted riots in February and left at least 276 people dead.

That unrest broke out after President Carlos Andres Perez cut government subsidies for a broad range of consumer items and public services as part of an effort to ease payments on the nation’s $33-billion foreign debt.

Many people blamed labor unions, which are closely tied to the governing Democratic Action party, for not doing enough to defend working-class people affected by the measures. In response, the union called for the strike.

The government declared the strike illegal but said it would “avoid useless confrontations that in no way benefit the nation.”

Squadrons of motorcycle police cruised the streets, which were empty as most Venezuelans stayed home.

Labor leaders said the strike closed the nation’s small and medium industries, shops, banks and public services and paralyzed transportation.

All international airline flights were canceled from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., travel agents said.

Basic industries such as oil and aluminum operated normally under a pact worked out between the government-run enterprises and unions affiliated with the confederation. Venezuela depends on oil for 90% of its export revenue.

Planning Minister Miguel Rodriguez said the strike will cost the country $300 million in lost productivity.