The Americas

Nationwide blackouts become the norm in Venezuela

Associated Press
Published | Updated

A supporter of Venezuela's self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaido, blows a whistle as she waits for his arrival in Los Teques, Miranda State, Venezuela, Saturday, March 30, 2019. Guaido took his campaign for change to one of the country's most populous states on Saturday, while supporters of the man he is trying to oust, President Nicolas Maduro, held a rival demonstration in the capital after another nationwide blackout. (AP Photo/Boris Vergara)

A supporter of Venezuela's self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaido, with a message on his torso that reads in Spanish: "Venezuela with Guaido," attends an opposition rally a rally in Carrizal, Miranda State, Venezuela, Saturday, March 30, 2019. Guaido addressed the crowd while Maduro loyalists gathered for what was billed as an "anti-imperialist" rally in the capital. Such dueling demonstrations have become a pattern in past weeks as Venezuela's opposing factions vie for power in a country enduring economic turmoil and a humanitarian crisis. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Another day, another blackout.

Power went out across Venezuela on Sunday, just as it did on Saturday, and the day before that.

Later Sunday afternoon, some electricity was returning, although jittery Venezuelans don't so much celebrate when the lights come on as wonder when the next outages will flick them off.

Netblocks, a group monitoring internet censorship, says network data showed just 15 percent of Venezuela was online after the latest power cuts struck.

Venezuela experienced its worst blackouts earlier in March, compounding its humanitarian crisis and intensifying the standoff between President Nicolas Maduro and opposition leader Juan Guaido.

The opposition and many experts say government neglect and mismanagement contributed to the blackouts. Maduro alleges U.S.-led sabotage is the cause, but has not offered clear evidence.