委内瑞拉宣布90天电力应急

（单词翻译）

 委内瑞拉宣布90天电力应急

CARACAS, April 23 (Xinhua) -- The Venezuelan government on Tuesday declared a 90-day state of emergency for the electricity sector¹ to address the challenge of growing power demand and better protect the country's power facilities.

"President Nicolas Maduro announced the state of emergency in Venezuela ... This is very important for us to take necessary measures to stabilize² the (electricity) sector," Venezuelan Vice³ President Jorge Arreaza said in a statement.

Arreaza added that the authorities "have to guarantee power supply" and are willing to work for the resolution of the country' s "energy problem."

Under the state of emergency, Venezuela's state-owned electricity company Corpoelec "can conclude agreements with independent national or foreign suppliers" to "acquire goods and services," according to the presidential decree.

It also orders enhanced security at all power installations across the country.

The decree is part of an "Electricity Mission" announced recently by Maduro, a seven-point action plan for the stabilization⁴ of the power sector, which also includes promoting a power-saving culture among the public and adjusting power charges on private users.

Power blackouts are common in Venezuela. While the government blames them on sabotage⁵ and excessive consumption, the opposition⁶ says the power sector has been poorly managed and inefficient⁷ since it was nationalized.