High cost of Venezuela coup

Officials in Venezuela say the economic cost of the short-lived coup against President Hugo Chavez could amount to more than $1bn..

A congressional consulting body, the Oficina de Asesoria de la Asamblea Nacional, calculated that the country's economic activity and the state's income was severely affected by a three-day general strike and a strike at the state oil company.

Officials also said clashes during demonstrations and the looting of shops which occurred before and after the failed coup cost jobs and led to a reduction in the state's tax revenues.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service