Venezuela: Power outages reported nationwide Aug. 27

Major electrical outages were reported across Venezuela on the evening of Aug. 27. The blackouts affect the greater Caracas metropolitan area and the states of Carabobo, Falcon, Lara, Merida, Miranda, Nueva Esparta, Sucre, Tachira, and Zulia; additional areas may also experience electricity cuts. Authorities did not immediately state what caused the outages or when electricity will likely be restored.

Transport, business, and telecommunications disruptions will likely affect areas subject to power outages. Malfunctioning traffic signals may disrupt traffic flow in some areas and lead to longer driving times. The electricity disruptions could also result in the temporary unavailability of essential services in affected areas, such as hospitals, ATMs, and fuel stations. Additionally, power disruptions could adversely affect security protocols, including alarm systems and electronic fences; opportunistic criminal activity could increase during the blackouts.