Venezuela’s opposition to lead Tuesday protests against sweeping economic reforms

Venezuela’s opposition will use yesterday’s implementation of sweeping economic reforms to coordinate strikes and protests across the country today, increasing the likelihood of violent clashes with security forces in urban centres. The leftist Maduro administration rolled out a raft of reforms on Monday, including a 3000% minimum wage hike, a new currency and increased tax rates. Most analysts say the measures—designed to combat rampant inflation and a shortage of basic goods—will aggravate the country’s economic troubles. This increases the risk of a humanitarian crisis in a country where three quarters of the population lost at least 8 kilograms in just one year. More…