Venezuela’s Blackout: New York Times

Venezuela, with the world’s largest oil reserves, struggles to deliver power to most of its citizens. The four-day blackout combined with political divisions has triggered protests, looting, economic hardship and anger in the country of 32 million people. “The blackout is the latest crisis to befall a country in seemingly perpetual crisis,” reports the New York Times. “Venezuela has been devastated for years by hyperinflation and a failing economy that has led millions to flee. But the country has been further torn since January, when opposition political leaders refused to acknowledge as legitimate the re-election of President Nicolás Maduro.” One attempt to repair led to an explosion of a secondary station. The government blames an unspecified fault at a plant that delivers 80 percent of the country’s electricity and the beleaguered president blames sabotage and cyberattacks with no evidence. Analysts suggest the reason for the prolonged blackout is years of destabilizing corruption, mismanagement, as well as lack of maintenance and skilled staff. – YaleGlobal