THE ninth day of a general strike saw queues form outside banks as Venezuela’s financial sector threatened to join forces with the oil industry to bring the economy to a halt.

The move heaped pressure on President Chávez as the main banks opted to open for only half a day in support of the strike. People made panic withdrawals from accounts held at the few banks that defied the strike call.

Petrol stations manned by troops ran out of fuel, dozens of flights were cancelled and panic-buying cleared shelves in supermarkets.

Last night the Supreme Court said it was suspending its work, citing political harassment and condemning the violence during the stoppage. The suspension is a blow to the President, who had long controlled the court. Several corruption cases against him are pending in the court, though it has already ruled to throw out some. Government and opposition leaders were due to resume negotiations to discuss possible early elections to end the strike, but the President still enjoys strong support among the poor.

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