Venezuelan banks end partial strike

www.bday.co.za

CARACAS — Venezuela's main bank association has decided that financial institutions will resume full operations next week, after working half-day in support of a 59-day-old strike, Union Radio reported.

The decision came as the strike, aimed at forcing President Hugo Chavez from office, showed signs of weakening.

The oil sector, the worst affected by the protest, has started recovering, though daily crude output — which the government put at 1.3 million barrels — remained a fraction of the pre-strike level of over three million barrels.

Numerous cash-strapped businesses reopened in recent weeks, and strike organizers were considering reopening schools, shopping malls and fast food outlets shut by the strike.

AFP Thursday 30 January 2003