Venezuela strikers reject president’s election plan

A 24-hour nationwide strike began in Venezuela yesterday, in an effort by the opposition to increase pressure on Nicolás Maduro, the leftist president, following four months of deadly street demonstrations.

The strike is the latest in a series of protests that began in April calling for Maduro’s ousting, and which have claimed the lives of about 100 people.

An unofficial plebiscite last weekend rejected Maduro, including his plan to hold an election on July 30 to choose a 545-member citizens’ body to rewrite the constitution.