Venezuelans are preparing for intensified power and water shortages as state utility Corpoelec warns of deeper cuts linked to the El Niño weather phenomenon. The National Hydropower Corporation (Corpoelec) said in a statement that reduced rainfall from El Niño would further strain the country’s already fragile infrastructure, forcing rationing measures.
The utility did not specify the duration or scale of the disruptions but noted that hydropower plants, which supply a significant portion of Venezuela’s electricity, would be particularly affected. The Guri Dam, the country’s largest hydroelectric facility, has historically been vulnerable to drought conditions, with past El Niño events triggering prolonged blackouts.
President Nicolás Maduro’s government has attributed the country’s persistent energy crisis to U.S. sanctions and alleged sabotage, though independent analysts cite years of underinvestment and mismanagement in the power sector. Water supply networks, already operating at reduced capacity, are also expected to face heightened pressure as reservoirs decline.
Residents in Caracas and other major cities have reported intermittent outages and water rationing in recent months. Local media outlets have documented long queues at distribution points and emergency water tanker services struggling to meet demand. The government has not released updated projections on the timing or geographic scope of the cuts.
El Niño, a climate pattern characterized by warmer Pacific Ocean temperatures, typically brings drier conditions to northern South America, exacerbating water shortages in Venezuela. The current El Niño event, which began in mid-2023, is forecast to persist into early 2025, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Corpoelec has urged households to reduce consumption and store water where possible, while emergency services prepare for potential social unrest amid the worsening conditions.
