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Venezuela's Chavez Declares 'Electricity Emergency'

   VOA News 08 February 2010
   Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, 04 Feb 2010

Photo: AP

   Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, 04 Feb 2010

   Venezuelan   President   Hugo  Chavez  has  declared  an  "electricity
   emergency"  in  the  oil-rich nation, saying the country is facing the
   worst drought in a century.
   Mr.  Chavez made the announcement Monday as he inaugurated a new radio
   program,  "Suddenly  Chavez,"  which he says could be broadcast at any
   time of the day or night.
   He  said the decree would make confronting the electrical power crisis
   the government's top priority.
   Discontent  has  been  growing  in Venezuela over chronic shortages of
   electricity and water, along with a sharp devaluation of its currency,
   the bolivar.  The country is in the midst of an economic recession and
   is trying to fight double-digit inflation.
   In  recent years, Mr. Chavez has nationalized major companies across a
   range  of  industries  - from oil, steel and cement to electricity and
   communications.
   Critics  have accused the populist leader of trying to model Venezuela
   after  communist-led  Cuba,  but  Mr. Chavez has said he is working to
   improve the lives of the country's impoverished majority.

   Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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