Venezuelan Leader Announces New Economic Measures

Venezuela's leftist President Nicolas Maduro announced Wednesday he will unveil a second package of economic measures under an emergency decree to counter what he calls an economic war by the business sector.

He said the measures to be announced Friday will regulate imports, on which the oil-rich nation is highly dependent for basic goods.

He got special powers to sidestep parliament a week ago.

So far he has fought to limit what he called exaggerated business profit margins and lower prices of consumer goods.

"Pay attention Friday because I am going to announce a set of complementary economic measures that will help people even more," Maduro said.

Maduro says an "economic war" waged by what he calls the bourgeoisie has led to 54 percent annual inflation.