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Chavez Declares Electricity Emergency

Venezuelan leader blames drought, capitalism for shortages

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 10, 2010 4:17 AM CST
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(Newser) – Hugo Chavez has declared a state of emergency, giving his government extra powers to deal with chronic electricity shortages. The Venezuelan leader announced measures including a 100% surcharge on electric bills that show a 10% increase in usage. Chavez warned that the worst drought in decades has hit hydroelectric production hard and could threaten the country's economy, CNN reports.

"All of this is the result of the destructive system of capitalism, which is unleashing horrific phenomena that are lashing the world," Chavez said last night on the inaugural broadcast of his Suddenly Chavez radio show. Critics charge that years of incompetent management and lack of investment in energy infrastructure are the real cause of the problem.

San Ignacio mall in Caracas is seen with its lights turned off to reduce electricity consumption. Venezuela relies on a single dam to generate most of its electricity.
San Ignacio mall in Caracas is seen with its lights turned off to reduce electricity consumption. Venezuela relies on a single dam to generate most of its electricity.   (AP Photo/Leonardo Ramirez)
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez holds a sword which he says was used by Venezuela's independence hero Simon Bolivar at a military parade in Fort Tiuna in Caracas last week.
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez holds a sword which he says was used by Venezuela's independence hero Simon Bolivar at a military parade in Fort Tiuna in Caracas last week.   (AP Photo/Leonardo Ramirez)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 14 comments
Face-Of-RNC
Feb 13, 2010 6:37 AM CST
Truth over delusion: Hugo Chavez did not accuse the U.S. of causing the Haitian earthquake: http://www.venezuelanalysis.co...
Face-Of-RNC
Feb 11, 2010 11:57 AM CST
America's big sticking of helpless backwater nations started at some point in time, but I really believe we inherited it from England. They big sticked all over the world in the name of corporate profit and we have carried on the tradition. Terrorist attacks are only part of the price we pay for not keeping our corporations in check.
evilrixta
Feb 10, 2010 12:17 PM CST
Hope the two billion in tanks and missiles from Russia helps you through all this Hugo.

 
Latin America • Venezuela • electricity • infrastructure • hydroelectric power • Hugo Chavez

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