Venezuela advances repairs on Turimiquire water tunnel amid supply crisis

Governors of the eastern Venezuelan states have reported progress on restoring the Turimiquire water‑transfer tunnel, which was damaged by recent earthquakes. In Nueva Esparta, Governor Marisel Velásquez said work on the Clavellinos branch is underway to reroute water to the islands of García, Díaz, Tubores, Marcano and Gómez, using 16 newly deployed super‑cisterns while repairs continue on the main tunnel. The effort, coordinated with the national Ministry of Water, aims to mitigate the loss of service that currently affects about 45% of the state.

In the neighboring state of Sucre, Governor Jhoanna Carrillo announced that about 250 workers have resumed work on the tunnel after installing ventilation and lighting systems. The resumed work is intended to permanently restore potable water to Cumaná, Araya, Marigüitar and other communities that have been without service for over four months. Additional measures include reactivating alternative water sources, operating the Manzanares station, and optimizing the Juan José Codallos plant, alongside continued water deliveries by tanker trucks.