The Mess That Is Venezuela

Chávez Declares An ‘Electricity Emergency’ In Venezuela -- New York Times/Reuters

CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) — President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela inaugurated a folksy radio talk show on Monday by declaring an “electricity emergency” in this oil-rich nation.

Despite its huge crude oil reserves, Venezuela relies on hydroelectricity for 70 percent of its power, and a drought has affected power supplies since late last year. “We are ready to decree the electricity emergency because it really is an emergency,” Mr. Chávez said in the first edition of “Suddenly Chávez,” on state radio.

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More News On Venezuela

Chavez puts Venezuela under 'electricity emergency' -- BBC
Venezuela declares emergency amid energy crisis -- Washington Post/AP
Venezuela's Hugo Chavez declares energy crisis -- Globe And Mail
Electricity emergency in oil rich Venezuela -- American Thinker
Cubans Attempt to Resolve Venezuelan Electricity Shortage Despite Living in Constant Blackout -- Venezuela Analysis
Venezuela offers carrot or stick in energy crisis -- Reuters

Pro- and anti-Chavez demos on coup anniversary -- Asia One News/AFP
Police Block Opposition March in Venezuela -- Latin American Herald Tribune
Venezuela's Chavez Has New Radio Show That Can Air Anytime -- Wall Street Journal
Hugo Chavez Speaks Out Against Twitter Terrorists -- Softpedia
FACTBOX-Key risks to watch in Venezuela -- Reuters
Chavez Completes 11 Years as Venezuela's President, Predicts 11 More -- Latin American Herald Tribune
FBI, CIA report on Chavez-FARC ties -- Colombia Reports

Hugo Chavez orders expropriation of historic buildings -- BBC
Venezuela Bolivar Near 5-Month Low Vs Dollar In Black Market -- Wall Street Journal
FACTBOX-Auction of Venezuela's vast Carabobo oil fields -- Reuters
Venezuela's Oil Problem -- Newsweek
TIMELINE-Hugo Chavez and Venezuela's oil industry -- Reuters
VenEconomy: Gone with Remissness and Barbarity -- Latin American Herald Tribune
Venezuela: Opponents Hope to Strike Out Chávez -- Time Magazine
Half Venezuelans claim to distrust President Chávez -- El Universal

For Chávez, a difficult year ahead -- Miami Herald opinion
Venezuela heads toward disaster -- Miami Herald editorial