DHAKA: Bus driver of Venezuelan capital Caracas have effectively blocked the city in demand of current economic crisis.

Thousands of drivers parked their busses on the road and brought the city to a complete halt for over eight hours, BBC reports.

They have demanded a wage bump as well as protection from violent crimes.

Many said they needed more money to maintain their buses and complained of scarcity of spare parts.

Meanwhile, the electoral authorities ruled out a recall referendum this year against President Nicolas Maduro.

The decision is a setback for the opposition, which has been pressing for a vote to oust him.

The protest in Caracas is believed to have affected half of the bus fleet in the city of three million people.

Venezuela has faced shortages of many goods, including food and medicine.

Tires, car batteries and motor oil are in short supply.

A spokesman for the drivers said they would continue their protest on Thursday (September 22) if the government did not respond to their complaints.

BDST: 1547 HRS, SEP 22, 2016
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