Dr. Enrique Ferreira, a leader with Vente Venezuela in the Lara state, reported on Monday that Venezuela is experiencing power outages lasting between 36 and 72 hours. He compared these blackouts to those in Cuba, despite Venezuela's vast oil reserves—the largest in the world.
Ferreira made these comments during an interview on the program Transición en Cuba, shortly after appearing with María Corina Machado at the Sanctuario de la Divina Pastora in Barquisimeto. This marked Machado's first public appearance since returning to Venezuela on Sunday, following nearly ten months abroad.
The interview itself underscored the severity of the power crisis. Ferreira participated via a personal generator as his area was without electricity at the time. "I have power from a generator because right now, where I am, there is no electricity, as usual. It's a tragedy in Venezuela," he remarked.
When interviewer Tania Costa asked about the persistence of power outages in Venezuela, Ferreira was unequivocal. "Are blackouts still happening in Venezuela? Absolutely, 36, 72 hours. This is a tragedy," he emphasized.
Costa highlighted the irony for viewers: Venezuela, with its immense oil wealth, struggles with blackouts as prolonged as those in Cuba. Ferreira confirmed this bluntly. He painted a stark picture of the human toll, describing families in distress: "We have a tired, overwhelmed country, a nation in ruins—a mother, a father, a child up until 2 or 3 in the morning without electricity, only to wake up at 6 a.m. for school or work."
The educational system is not spared, as schools also face frequent power cuts, forcing children to return home without learning.
Ferreira pointed out that owning a personal generator has become almost a necessity when purchasing or renting a home. "Nowadays, it's practically a state policy that if you buy an apartment or a house, one of the requirements is to have a generator to ensure electricity," he explained.
Statistics back up Ferreira's claims. An ANOVA Policy Research report from October 2026 indicated that 62.8% of Venezuelan households experienced daily electrical outages throughout the year. In Táchira, power cuts accumulated between 34 and 58 hours weekly, while in Zulia, they reached up to 12 hours daily. The ongoing electrical crisis has emerged as a significant threat to productivity, with the industry losing 44% of its working hours in the second quarter, according to Conindustria data cited by Ecoanalítica.
Meanwhile, Cuba faces its own energy emergency. On Monday, the Unión Eléctrica reported only 1,030 MW available against a demand of 2,900 MW, leaving over 64% of the demand unmet. In Contramaestre, Santiago de Cuba, residents reported blackouts lasting up to 40 hours late last week.
Ferreira, who previously led the campaign efforts for Machado and later for Edmundo González Urrutia in Lara during the 2024 presidential elections, was detained by the Chávez regime for roughly seven months—from July 2025 to February 2026—on charges of incitement to hate and criminal association. His release was confirmed by Portugal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as Ferreira also holds Portuguese nationality.
Despite the dire energy situation, Ferreira concluded with a message of resilience: "Venezuela might be without electricity, but Venezuelans are not defeated. We continue to move forward with strength and determination because we will win this fight."
Insights on Venezuela's Energy Crisis
What is causing the prolonged blackouts in Venezuela?
The blackouts are attributed to Venezuela's failing infrastructure and mismanagement, despite having the largest oil reserves globally.
How are Venezuelans coping with the lack of electricity?
Many Venezuelans rely on personal generators, which have become almost a necessity for households to maintain basic electricity access.
How does the energy crisis affect Venezuelan industries?
The crisis severely impacts productivity, with industries losing significant working hours due to the frequent power outages.
What parallels exist between Venezuela's and Cuba's energy issues?
Both countries face prolonged power outages, though Venezuela's situation is particularly paradoxical given its vast oil resources.