Venezuelan discontent over power cuts

CARACAS, Venezuela (UPI) — Public discontent over renewed disruptions in electricity supplies reached new levels as the government of President Hugo Chavez announced further cutbacks in business and domestic use of power.

Officials said the cutbacks are a direct result of low water levels in the Guri hydroelectric dam, one of the largest in the world, astride the Caroni River in Bolivar state. In normal conditions the dam generates enough power to meet the needs of most of Venezuela, but persistent drought has forced the shutdown of parts of the complex.

Critics of Chavez within and outside the political opposition blame government mismanagement of the resource for the current crisis, which began intermittently earlier this year.

Chavez has accused business and industry managers of wasting electricity and warned factory owners of hefty fines for careless use of electricity supplies. But electricity cuts have become endemic and have impacted on economy and lifestyles, as shutdowns play havoc with refrigeration and other critical business and domestic uses of power.

The power shortages have caused severe scarcity of consumer goods. Chavez has responded by announcing the creation of a network of “socialist” shops to supply everyday items at affordable prices.

UPI