Power cuts in Venezuela trigger protests in several cities
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Globalvoices
Long and unpredictable power cuts are disrupting work, education and daily life in Venezuela, where residents have protested in several cities. In Maracaibo, Yanira reports going without electricity for up to 11 hours in a day, while protesters have also blocked roads, according to Global Voices.
Power cuts lasting between six and 15 hours a day have triggered protests in several cities in Venezuela, including Turmero, Valencia and Maracaibo, Global Voices reports. Residents have blocked roads at night to protest against the deterioration of electricity supplies, particularly outside Caracas.
In Maracaibo, Yanira, a 33-year-old artist and designer, said she had experienced an 11-hour power cut one day, after an interruption lasting seven hours the previous day. The outages are disrupting work, education, business activities and sleep, while high temperatures are worsening their impact on sick and elderly people.
The authorities have shortened the working hours of some public-sector employees and reached an agreement with shopping centres to reduce their consumption. The government attributes part of the shortage to the effects of El Niño, including drought and unusual temperatures, according to Global Voices.
The crisis is also linked to the major failure of a 770-megawatt turbine at the Guri hydroelectric power station. Venezuela’s electricity system has suffered from underinvestment and inadequate maintenance for several years, Global Voices reports.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
