In pics | Burning notes, looting: How Venezuela reacted to demonetisation

Protests and looting broke out in parts of Venezuela on Friday due to a lack of cash after the socialist government suddenly pulled the nation’s largest banknote from circulation in the midst of a brutal economic crisis.

Protests and looting broke out in parts of Venezuela on Friday due to a lack of cash after the socialist government suddenly pulled the nation’s largest banknote from circulation in the midst of a brutal economic crisis.

People tie 100-Bolivar notes to a tree during a protest over lack of cash as the new bank notes have not yet appeared, in Venezuela's Tachira state. (AFP Photo)

Waving the now-worthless 100-bolivar bills, pockets of demonstrators blocked roads, demanded that stores accept the cash, and cursed President Nicolas Maduro in a string of towns and cities around Venezuela, witnesses said.

Read | Protests, looting in Venezuela as most-used banknote is demonetised

Last weekend, Maduro gave Venezuelans three days to ditch the 100-bolivar bills, arguing that the measure was needed to combat mafias on the Colombia border despite warnings from some economists that it risked sparking chaos.

Here’s how the country reacted:

A 100-bolivar note with ‘Merry Christmas’ written on it are seen on the desks of lawmakers from Venezuela's United Socialist Party (PSUV), before a session of the National Assembly in Caracas. (Reuters Photo)

Venezuelans lined up to deposit 100-unit banknotes before they turned worthless. (AFP Photo)

A man shows 100 Bolivar notes whilst queuing outside Venezuela's Central Bank (BCV), in Caracas. (AFP Photo)

People queue outside Venezuela's Central Bank (BCV), in Caracas, to change 100 Bolivar notes. (AFP Photo)

A handout picture released by the Venezuelan presidency shows President Nicolas Maduro holding a new 10,000 Bolivar note during a television programme in Caracas. (AFP Photo)

People walk next to broken showcases after a shoe shop was looted in Maracaibo, Venezuela. (Reuters Photo)

A handout picture shows people protesting due to a lack of cash outside Venezuela's Central Bank (BCV). (AFP Photo/Panorama)

A man burns a 100-bolivar bill during a protest in El Pinal, Venezuela. (Reuters Photo)

A man holds a bone and a placard that reads "Maduro: communist, unhappy, damn. Resign, now", in front of a pole covered with 100-bolivar bills during a protest in El Pinal, Venezuela. (Reuters Photo)

People protest on the ‘Troncal 5’ road over the lack of cash as the new bank notes have not appeared, in San Cristobal, in Venzuela's Tachira state. (AFP Photo)

People queue outside Venezuela's Central Bank (BCV) in Caracas. (AFP Photo)

People queue to deposit their 100 bolivar notes. (Reuters Photo)

A man places a placard on a truck, which reads: ‘Maduro, you're stealing our future and our freedom’, during a protest due to a lack of cash in El Pinal, Venezuela. (Reuters Photo)