PanARMENIAN.Net - Venezuela's highest denomination banknote has ceased to be legal tender, in a move that has caused cash chaos and long queues at banks, BBC News reports.
Protests against the move led to looting in parts of the country, with shops attacked and roads blocked.
Some cash machines on Thursday, December 15 were still issuing the old 100-bolivar notes, hours before they expired.
President Nicolas Maduro said new higher-denomination bills would be fully distributed in January.
He has closed the borders with Brazil and Colombia until Sunday to stop "mafias" hoarding the currency abroad.
Anger over the move led to skirmishes in six cities on Friday, the Associated Presss reported the authorities as saying, with 32 people being taken into custody and one injured.
The sense of frustration has been compounded because there has been no official explanation as to why bank branches throughout Venezuela do not yet appear to have the larger denomination bank notes intended to replace 100-bolivar notes.
The opposition argues the currency initiative is another sign that President Maduro is ruining the economy and must be ousted.
But President Maduro praised Venezuelans for their understanding in a televised address on Thursda...
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