Venezuelan Opposition Announces General Strike Over Maduro's Policy

MEXICO CITY (Sputnik) – The strike is a part of the strategy of the opposition party Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) aimed at counteracting the country’s government.

"We call for the 24-hour civil strike on coming Thursday, July 20," Guevara said.

On Sunday, the opposition organized the so-called popular referendum, in which over 98 percent of 7.2 million voters opposed Maduro’s decision to call the Constituent Assembly. The country’s government believes that results of the referendum do not have legal force as only the electoral authorities have the right to hold such events.

Venezuela has been experiencing a period of political instability amid the drastic economic situation in the country. The most recent protests erupted in April after the country's Supreme Court tried to take over legislative powers from the opposition-controlled National Assembly. The top court reversed the ruling but the step did not stop mass demonstrations.

In May, Maduro announced his decision to call the National Constituent Assembly, which was regarded by the opposition as an attempted coup and resulted in further escalation of tensions that resulted in the deaths of over 90 people.