Comercios cerrados, sin transporte público, calles desoladas y bloqueadas…el paro cívico en Venezuela

Comercios cerrados, sin transporte público, calles desoladas y bloqueadas…el paro cívico en Venezuela

An avenue looks void of vehicles during a general strike in Caracas, on July 20, 2017. A 24-hour nationwide strike got underway in Venezuela Thursday, in a bid by the opposition to increase pressure on beleaguered leftist President Nicolas Maduro following four months of deadly street demonstrations. / AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETO
An avenue looks void of vehicles during a general strike in Caracas, on July 20, 2017.
A 24-hour nationwide strike got underway in Venezuela Thursday, in a bid by the opposition to increase pressure on beleaguered leftist President Nicolas Maduro following four months of deadly street demonstrations. / AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETO

Comercios cerrados, sin transporte público, calles desoladas y bloqueadas con barricadas: Venezuela está paralizada parcialmente por una huelga que exige al presidente Nicolás Maduro que retire su convocatoria a una Asamblea Constituyente, tras casi cuatro meses de protestas que dejan 97 muertos.

El paro de 24 horas arrancó a las 06H00 locales, dando inicio a la llamada “hora cero”, una escalada de las manifestaciones a diez días de la elección de 545 asambleístas que reformarán la Carta Magna, una polémica convocatoria de Maduro que prendió aún más la calle.

Animada por 7,6 millones de votos del plebiscito simbólico que realizó el domingo contra la Constituyente, la oposición convocó a un cese de actividades pero “activo”, por lo que grupos de opositores bloquearon vías con barricadas de basura, escombros y ramas de árboles.





“No importa perder una jornada de trabajo si estamos perdiendo un país. Me sumo al paro para rescatar lo poco que nos queda de él, para aumentar la presión”, dijo a la AFP Omar, de 34 años, dueño de una pequeña empresa constructora del sureste de Caracas.

Confrontado también a una fuerte presión internacional para que desista de su proyecto, Maduro afirma que la Constituyente va contra viento y marea. “Ahora más que nunca”, dijo, al rechazar esta semana amenazas de sanciones económicas del presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump.

“Es un paro absurdo. La Constituyente va a acabar con toda estas bromas horribles. Ellos lo que quieren es que venga Estados Unidos a apoderarse del país”, dijo a AFP María Francis, de 53 años, empleada del Metro de Caracas, paralizado en sectores del este de Caracas, bastión opositor.

– Pulso desigual –

El paro es apoyado por la cúpula empresarial, cámaras de comercio e industria, parte de los sindicatos, estudiantes y transportistas. Pero el gobierno controla la estratégica petrolera PDVSA y el sector público, con casi tres millones de empleados.

“Aquí está PDVSA rodilla en tierra con nuestra patria, con nuestra revolución, con nuestra Asamblea Nacional Constituyente, que va el 30 de julio”, declaró el presidente de la compañía estatal, Eulogio del Pino.

El líder opositor Henrique Capriles aseguró que “el gobierno quiere tapar el sol con un dedo, hoy parece 1 de enero en gran parte del país”.

“Este paro es un pulso entre un empresariado y una población famélica y pauperizada, contra un gobierno también quebrado, pero que controla los pocos recursos de un país petrolero”, opinó Luis Vicente León, presidente de la firma Datanálisis.

Marcela Máspero, coordinadora de la Unión de Trabajadores de Venezuela (UNETE) -una de las principales centrales obreras del país-, sostuvo que muchos empleados “están sometidos a presiones”, pero aún así respaldan el paro.

“Si no voy a trabajar me botan (despiden)”, dijo a AFP Carolina, de 39 años, en camino a su trabajo en una institución estatal por el este de Caracas.

El dirigente sindical Froilán Barrios aseguró que estos días son “claves” para hacer que Maduro “entienda que una salida democrática a la crisis significa retirar la Constituyente”.

“Un cierre que no esté ajustado al procedimiento de ley, acarrea sanciones”, advirtió el ministro de Trabajo, Néstor Ovalles, a las empresas que se sumen al paro.

– Colapso o salvación económica –

Los empresarios, a quienes Maduro acusa de una “guerra económica” para derrocarlo, aseguran que la Constituyente instaurará un modelo económico que empeorará la crisis del país con las mayores reservas petroleras del mundo.

Venezuela perdió el 70% de sus empresas en la última década, y las que quedan funcionan al 30% de su capacidad, según la patronal Fedecámaras.

“La Constituyente no es más que una manera de disfrazar la transformación de Venezuela a un Estado comunista”, aseguró el presidente de Fedecámaras, Carlos Larrazábal.

Si la tensión persiste, el PIB se contraería 9% en 2017 frente a una previsión original de -4,3%, precisó a AFP Asdrúbal Oliveros, director de la consultora Ecoanalítica.

Maduro sostiene que la Constituyente recuperará la economía, elevará a rango constitucional los programas sociales, el control de precios para frenar la inflación -que el FMI calcula en 720% para 2017-, y la distribución de alimentos subsidiados contra la grave escasez.

La oposición rechazó participar en la Asamblea Constituyente argumentando que no fue convocada con un referendo previo y que su sistema de elección es un “fraude” con el que el chavismo logrará controlarla para hacer reformas que garanticen su permanencia en el poder.

Según Datanálisis, 70% de los venezolanos rechaza la Constituyente, un “suprapoder” que regirá al país con facultades absolutas por tiempo indefinido.

Según el politólogo Luis Salamanca para detenerla tendrían que exigirlo los militares -sostén de Maduro-, pero el ministro de Defensa, general Vladimir Padrino López, prometió que éstos defenderán la elección.

por Maria Isabel SANCHEZ/AFP

Fotos Reuters y AFP

A woman cross over ropes used to close a sidewalk during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Marco Bello
A woman cross over ropes used to close a sidewalk during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Marco Bello
People cross under ropes used to close sidewalks and roads during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Marco Bello
People cross under ropes used to close sidewalks and roads during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Marco Bello
A woman walks in front of a graffiti that reads "There is no peace with hunger" during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Marco Bello
A woman walks in front of a graffiti that reads “There is no peace with hunger” during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Marco Bello
People walk on the street in front of a graffiti that reads "Maduro leave" during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins
People walk on the street in front of a graffiti that reads “Maduro leave” during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins
A man walks on the street in front of a graffiti that reads "Maduro leave" during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins
A man walks on the street in front of a graffiti that reads “Maduro leave” during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins
People cross under ropes used to close a sidewalk during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins
People cross under ropes used to close a sidewalk during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins
A woman walks on a sidewalk in front of closed business during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins
A woman walks on a sidewalk in front of closed business during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins
People walk along empty roads during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Andres Martinez Casares
People walk along empty roads during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Andres Martinez Casares
People walk along an empty road during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Andres Martinez Casares
People walk along an empty road during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Andres Martinez Casares
People walk along empty roads during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Andres Martinez Casares
People walk along empty roads during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Andres Martinez Casares
People walk along an empty street during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Marco Bello
People walk along an empty street during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Marco Bello
People walk along an empty street during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Marco Bello
People walk along an empty street during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Marco Bello
A man rides a bike along an empty road during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Andres Martinez Casares
A man rides a bike along an empty road during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Andres Martinez Casares
People cross under ropes used to close a sidewalk during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins
People cross under ropes used to close a sidewalk during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins
A man walks along a closed street near a graffiti that reads "hunger" during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins
A man walks along a closed street near a graffiti that reads “hunger” during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins
A woman walks in front of a graffiti that reads "Dictatorship" during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins
A woman walks in front of a graffiti that reads “Dictatorship” during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins
A man uses garbage to block a street during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins
A man uses garbage to block a street during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins
People cross under ropes used to close a sidewalk during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Andres Martinez Casares
People cross under ropes used to close a sidewalk during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Andres Martinez Casares
Beer bottles are seen placed on the street during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Andres Martinez Casares
Beer bottles are seen placed on the street during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Andres Martinez Casares
A demonstrator paints a graffiti that reads "we are in a dictatorship" during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Andres Martinez Casares
A demonstrator paints a graffiti that reads “we are in a dictatorship” during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Andres Martinez Casares
Riot security forces take position during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins
Riot security forces take position during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins
A demonstrator throws back a tear gas canister while clashing with riot security forces during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins     TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
A demonstrator throws back a tear gas canister while clashing with riot security forces during a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Demonstrators clash with riot security forces while participating in a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins
Demonstrators clash with riot security forces while participating in a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins
Riot security forces clashes with demonstrators participating in a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Andres Martinez Casares
Riot security forces clashes with demonstrators participating in a strike called to protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government in Caracas, Venezuela, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Andres Martinez Casares