Chavez suspends power cuts in Caracas

CARACAS

The government announced sweeping power cuts Tuesday across wide swathes of Caracas, as well as the whole country, amid a drought-driven energy crisis.

“I have noticed that there have been undesirable effects from the planned cuts announced yesterday (Tuesday),” Chavez told state television VTV in comments aired early Thursday.

“I want to tell the people that, only in Caracas, have I ordered a suspension to the power cuts,” the leftist president said, adding that he had made his decision shortly before one of the cuts was to begin at midnight Wednesday.

AFP