News / Venezuela / News Bulletin

Second blackout in a month hits Venezuela, cutting power to Caracas

Monday, 25 March 2019 10:57 PM [ Last Update: Monday, 25 March 2019 11:02 PM ]

People queue to get on a bus during a partial power cut in Caracas, on March 25, 2019. (AFP)

Lights went out across much of Venezuela, including many areas of the capital city of Caracas on Monday less than two weeks after power was restored following a prolonged blackout.

People evacuate the Venezuelan National Assembly building during a partial power outage in Caracas on March 25, 2019. (AFP)

Power was out in much of eastern Caracas as well as downtown, where the Miraflores presidential palace and most government ministries are located. Authorities said the Caracas subway was shutting down due to the lack of power.

Several western states had no power, according to Reuters witnesses, though it remained on in the southern city of Puerto Ordaz and in parts of Valencia, the country's third-largest city. Shops across the country closed early to protect against possible looting.

Neither state electricity company Corpoelec nor the Venezuelan information ministry responded to requests for comment.

A new power outage hits large areas of Venezuela on Monday, including Caracas, two weeks after the massive March 7 blackout that paralyzed the country for a week. (AFP)

The blackout comes after electricity went out in much of the OPEC nation on March 7, with reliable service restored only four to six days later in most major cities. That blackout led to widespread looting in parts of the country and briefly paralyzed oil exports.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk

Venezuela