Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has ordered the redenomination of the bolivar as the country grapples with hyperinflation, Reuters reported March 23.
The re-denomination, which would divide the bolivar by 1,000, would take effect June 4, Maduro said in a televised broadcast, as reported by Reuters. It would not have any impact on the bolivar’s value, said Reuters.
The Venezuelan bolivar has plunged 99.99% against the U.S. dollar on the black market since Maduro came to power in April 2013.
Maduro said the move was intended to guard the bolivar against currency speculators and a U.S.-led "economic war" against Venezuela, the report added.
Prices in Venezuela soared 6,147% in the 12 months through February, Reuters reported, citing estimates by the opposition-led National Assembly.
Maduro, who is running for re-election on May 20, has pledged to "dollarize" the Venezuelan economy to beat skyrocketing prices and regain investor confidence, Reuters said.