Venezuela sinks into darkness

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As a result of the problems of the main hydroelectric power plant in the country, Venezuela has suffered a major blackout

At least 22 of the 23 states of Venezuela have run out of power, as a result of the power cut that already completes a little more than 19 hours. As indicated by Globovisión and according to official government sources, "the national blackout is the result of a sabotage in El Guri, which is the largest reservoir in Venezuela. (…) The reservoir is delimited by the Guri dam, where the Simón Bolívar Hydroelectric Plant works, responsible for generating electricity to more than 60% of the country. "

Leer en español: Venezuela se hunde en la oscuridad

According to AFP, some specialists blame the government of Nicolás Maduro for the continuous blackouts due to the lack of investments in the maintenance of the structure amid the serious economic crisis that the country is currently experiencing. However, the response from the Communications Minister, Jorge Rodríguez, stated that it was a criminal sabotage against the main source of energy.

While blackouts are a constant in the lives of Venezuelans, the current one being lived is one of the longest. In spite of the above, Nicolás Maduro referred to the blackout as a new sabotage, led by US imperialism. On the other hand, the interim president, Juan Guaidó, expressed his concern and due to the chaos he showed "the inefficiency of the usurper".

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Venezuelan people are affected one more time

The power blackout, which according to local media happened when public transport is more used, seriously affected Venezuelans. As El Tiempo explains, "the early morning of this Friday in Caracas was like a Sunday. Shops closed, not a soul in the street at dawn, until now the only light that touches the city."

Due to the seriousness of the situation, the Venezuelan government was forced to suspend working hours and classes. In her Twitter account, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, referred to this fact to affirm that the decision "facilitates the work and efforts for the recovery of electricity service in the country."

However, for Venezuelans, it represents more than sabotage, because they are the ones who have to make progress in order to obtain food, for example, because electronic transactions are fundamental in a country where there is a shortage of cash.

Madurismo sinks in the dark

Despite the fact that through one of the official channels it was affirmed that the service had been restored, the truth is that only in some parts of Caracas but not completely in the rest of the country.

As expected, the blackout is not only the reflection of a crisis, but it becomes the political excuse for the opposition to take advantage. Last Monday, when Juan Guaidó returned to the country, he expressed the need to leave to march against the regime. This blackout could add more militants angry at the poor living conditions.

Also, the Secretary of State of the United States, Mike Pompeo, made a strong criticism of the government: "Maduro's policies only bring darkness," he said in his Twitter account. "No food. No medicine and now, no power. Next, no Maduro", he said.

The truth is that while the situation is resolved thousands of Venezuelans will have to make use of the few power plants that work to charge cell phones and take advantage of basic food supplies.

LatinAmerican Post | Laura Viviana Guevara Muñoz
Translated from "Venezuela se hunde en la oscuridad"