- Title: VENEZUELA: Power blackout plunges Caracas and other cities into darkness
- Date: 3rd December 2013
- Summary: CARACAS, VENEZUELA (DECEMBER 02, 2013) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE IN THE STREET TAKING COVER FROM THE RAIN (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) UNIDENTIFIED CARACAS RESIDENT SAYING: "Because of the blackout, the metro is now stuck and now everything is going to get backed up." PEOPLE WALKING IN THE RAIN PEOPLE WAITING FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CARACAS RESIDENT MIGUEL ESTOICO SAYING: "I had to get out of the station and wait for a bus so I can get to my house and that's what I've been trying to do until now. When the lights go out, everything collapses sadly." VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WALKING AROUND IN THE RAIN
- Embargoed: 18th December 2013 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
- City:
- Country: Venezuela
- Topics: Energy
- Reuters ID: LVABLRDOIKSQQOMYDPHVFGISTGGT
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- Story Text: A power blackout plunged the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, and other cities around the nation into darkness on Monday (December 02) night.
Venezuela has been suffering periodic electricity cuts around the country for several years, although the capital has been spared the worst problems.
The blackouts, often due to power rationing or utility failures, have not affected the OPEC member's oil refineries, which are powered by separate generator plants.
"It was a direct fault in the systems at the sub-station. It is too early to speculate but we are looking into the problem. We will take all the necessary actions. We have already communicated with the state, with the President to inform him of the situation and we have started the recovery of all the systems," Energy Minister Jessie Chacon said during a telephone interview.
One Caracas resident complained about the back up the blackout will cause.
"Because of the blackout, the metro is now stuck and now everything is going to get backed up," the man said.
For Caracas resident Miguel Estoico, the blackout means larger problems.
"I had to get out of the station and wait for a bus so I can get to my house and that's what I've been trying to do until now. When the lights go out, everything collapses sadly," Estoico said.
In September, when a blackout hit several cities, President Nicolas Maduro said that his political opponents may have been behind the difficulty. He had the armed forces called out to help ensure security while power was restored. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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