Venezuela's Maduro says will shun U.S. dollar in favour of yuan, others

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro (C) gestures as he speaks during a session of the National Constituent Assembly at Palacio Federal Legislativo in Caracas, Venezuela September 7, 2017. Miraflores Palace/Handout via REUTERS

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Thursday hiscash-strapped country would seek to "free" itself from the U.S. dollar next week, using the weakest of two official foreign exchange regimes and a basket of currencies.

Maduro was referring to Venezuela's "DICOM" official exchange rate in which the dollar buys 3,345 bolivars, according to the central bank.