"We're not evacuating our staff, but have told anyone who wants to leave that they're free to do so, and have told anyone who had vacation plans to take them early ... there's nothing going on to keep them here anyway," an executive at a foreign oil company said on the condition of anonymity. Thousands of businesses remained shuttered Wednesday, as did the Caracas Stock Exchange, but supermarkets continued to operate during limited hours. Banks, too, are on strike, but have agreed to extend to six, from three, the number of hours they'll be open for business, local daily El Nacional reported. Banking officials couldn't be reached for comment. Currency trading was expected to continue at low volumes.
Opposition groups blocked highways across the country, beginning at 6 a.m. local time (1000 GMT), as part of their protest. Police have used tear gas and rubber bullets to break up fights between protesters and Chavez's supporters. There were media reports that diesel fuel has run out and that some restaurants that had been open since the strike began Dec. 2 have had to shut because they've run out of gas to cook with. ***