Caracas: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez
has ordered the suspension of power blackouts in the capital,
saying they were having "undesirable effects" on an angry and
confused population.
Chavez also called for the resignation of his newly
appointed energy minister, Angel Rodriguez.
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 Tuesday," Chavez told state
television VTV in comments aired early today.
"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 yesterday.
"The government must be able to recognise and correct
errors in time.... Mistakes have been made on a technical
level, poor decisions have been made and therefore I assume
responsibility."
The power cuts would continue as planned throughout the
rest of the country.
Venezuelans, who already face water supply cuts that can
last up to 48 hours a week, reacted with anger and confusion
Wednesday as the government's power-saving campaign kicked in.
PTI
First Published: Friday, January 15, 2010, 00:16