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| Power cut leaves much of Venezuela without electricity | Power cut leaves much of Venezuela without electricity |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A power cut has left almost half of Venezuela without electricity, including parts of the capital Caracas. | |
| The blackout disabled traffic lights in the city, causing traffic chaos. It also partially disrupted the underground transport system. | The blackout disabled traffic lights in the city, causing traffic chaos. It also partially disrupted the underground transport system. |
| Thousands of workers were sent home. Blackouts are common in Venezuela, but they rarely affect Caracas. | Thousands of workers were sent home. Blackouts are common in Venezuela, but they rarely affect Caracas. |
| The deputy energy minister, Franco Silva, said failures in transmission lines were to blame. | The deputy energy minister, Franco Silva, said failures in transmission lines were to blame. |
| Energy Minister Jesse Chacon apologised to Venezuelans and asked them to be calm. | Energy Minister Jesse Chacon apologised to Venezuelans and asked them to be calm. |
| Authorities say they are working on re-establishing services, and they will give priority to transport in Caracas. | Authorities say they are working on re-establishing services, and they will give priority to transport in Caracas. |
| President Nicolas Maduro blamed the opposition for the blackout. "Everything seems to indicate that the far-right has resumed its plan for an electrical strike against the country," he said on Twitter. | |
| But critics say poor management and the failure to invest in infrastructure are to blame. | But critics say poor management and the failure to invest in infrastructure are to blame. |
| The oil industry has not been affected by the power cut, as Venezuela's oil refineries are powered by separate generator plants. | The oil industry has not been affected by the power cut, as Venezuela's oil refineries are powered by separate generator plants. |
| In 2010 the late President Hugo Chavez signed a decree declaring an "electricity emergency" to help his government tackle power shortages. | In 2010 the late President Hugo Chavez signed a decree declaring an "electricity emergency" to help his government tackle power shortages. |
| Although Venezuela has big oil reserves, it is dependent on hydro-electricity for some 70% of its power. | Although Venezuela has big oil reserves, it is dependent on hydro-electricity for some 70% of its power. |