National Guard troops beat dozens of oppo backers inside a barracks for refusing to accept the electoral win of Hugo Chavez's heir.
Socialist leader has not been seen in nearly three months; his condition reportedly "very delicate."
Currency devaluation takes effect surrounded by doubts on the government's ability to get a grip on 22% inflation.
The government confirmed the widely anticipated devaluation to 6.3 per dollar from 4.3 per dollar, to shore up government finances.
An alternative inauguration is scheduled to take place outside the presidential palace in a show of solidarity for the ailing Venezuelan president.
Hope for a reset in relations if in fact the longtime president, suffering from cancer, is in his final days.
Chavez's medical team has begun "pre-operative protocol" to carry out the surgery.
