# Venezuela power outage crisis > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/20260731-venezuela-power-outage-crisis > Updated: 2026-08-04T23:52:52.000Z. Sources: 17. Developments: 3. Since late July 2026 Venezuela’s electricity grid has been under severe rationing, with daily blackouts lasting five to twelve hours in many interior and rural areas. Outages of six‑to‑eight hours have been reported in Maracaibo and up to twelve hours in San Mateo, while residents of Zulia face 5‑15 hour cuts. The strain follows the June 24 earthquakes that knocked out about 600 MW of generation; officials say 300 MW has been restored and full recovery is targeted. Widespread protests have erupted in Maracaibo, Maturín, San Mateo, Maracay, Anaco, Lara, Aragua, Carabobo, Caracas and other states, demanding reliable service, compensation and a transparent load‑shedding schedule. Demonstrators have used pots, horns and burnt tires; police have dispersed crowds in Valencia’s La Florida neighbourhood. The government attributes the crisis to generator failures, high demand and earthquake damage, and has announced a plan to add 4,800 MW of new thermoelectric capacity by year‑end, backed by firms such as General Electric and IMPSA. Engineers estimate that rehabilitating six thermal plants in Zulia would require US$168 million to provide roughly 700 MW of capacity. A national electricity deficit of about 3,500 MW—almost twice the consumption of Greater Caracas—has deepened public skepticism, with a recent survey showing 75 % doubt that a newly announced US‑Venezuela energy pact will resolve the shortage. President‑interim Delcy Rodríguez has called for nationwide water‑ and electricity‑saving measures ahead of an expected “Superniño” El Niño event. The crisis, rooted in historic grid under‑investment and the 2007‑2008 nationalisation that created Corpoelec, continues to disrupt daily life, commerce and health services, exemplified by a health centre in Cariaco operating without a generator. ## Claims - Electricity cuts in Venezuelan cities last between five and twelve hours per day. (disputed by 7 sources) - Power rationing in Zulia reaches up to 15 hours per day for some communities. (disputed) - Residents have organized protests demanding an end to the electricity cuts. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Power outages have caused loss of perishable goods and income for businesses. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Protesters delivered petitions to Corpoelec demanding compensation and transparent load‑shedding schedules. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The outages are caused by generator failures, high demand, and seismic activity. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Residents in San Mateo experience up to twelve hours of outage per day. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Protesters in Maturín reported loss of poultry due to freezer failure from power cuts. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The June 24 earthquakes contributed to power failures in Aragua. (single source) - Residents in Maracaibo experience cuts of six to eight hours. (single source) - 75% of surveyed participants doubt the US‑Venezuela energy pact will solve the electricity crisis. (single source) - Venezuela's national electricity deficit is about 3,500 MW, nearly double the 1,800 MW consumed by Greater Caracas. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-04: Venezuela's electricity crisis deepens as deficit widens and public skepticism grows Venezuela faces a 3,500 MW power deficit, 75 % doubt a US pact will help, and up to 15‑hour cuts hit Zulia; repairs, investments and saving measures are underway amid protests. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuela-power-cuts-spark-protests-across-multiple-states ### 2026-07-31: Venezuela's Power Crisis Worsens with Double Rationing under Corpoelec Venezuela's electricity, once surplus under a mixed public‑private system, was nationalised in 2007‑08. Now Monagas faces double‑rationing outages up to six hours daily under state utility Corpoelec. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuelas-power-crisis-worsens-with-double-rationing-under-corpoelec ### 2026-07-29: Venezuela power cuts spark protests across multiple states Venezuelan power cuts lasting up to 12 hours spark protests in Maracaibo, Maturín, San Mateo and other cities, with residents demanding compensation and transparent schedules; officials blame generator failures 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maturn-residents-protest-prolonged-electricity-outages-by-corpoelec --- Cite as: Venezuela power outage crisis. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/20260731-venezuela-power-outage-crisis