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Caribbean-Latin America
Water rationing for Venezuela's capital city
2009-11-04
Weather forecasters blame the "El Nino" weather phenomenon, saying the periodic weather system has markedly reduced rainfall and created drought conditions. Others blame the shortage on poor government management of the country's water resources, while President Hugo Chavez faulted the excesses of capitalism.
Residents of the Venezuelan capital face cuts in water service for as much as 48 hours per week, after the government imposed rationing to stem a 25 percent shortfall in the city's supply, officials said Monday.

Officials said cuts in water service were to be staggered throughout Caracas through the duration of the current dry season, which is not expected to end until May 2010.

Weather forecasters blame the "El Nino" weather phenomenon, saying the periodic weather system has markedly reduced rainfall and created drought conditions.

Others blame the shortage on poor government management of the country's water resources, while President Hugo Chavez faulted the excesses of capitalism.

"What will the rich fill their swimming pools with?" the country's leftist leader asked recently.

"With the water that is denied inhabitants in the poor neighborhoods," he said, blaming the lack of sufficient water on "capitalism -- a lack of feeling, a lack of humanity."

The government recently created a ministry of electricity to help conserve the use of power, which also is in short supply.

Officials also urged the public to employ better conservation practices, like shorter showers and the use of less water when brushing teeth.
Posted by:Fred

#13  So that's what the eggheads meant by fast internet pipe.
Posted by: ed   2009-11-04 20:52  

#12  Hey, the Internet! Let's just FTP them some water.
Posted by: SteveS   2009-11-04 20:45  

#11  "If they're too poor, leave off the pump and draw water by hand, plans are all over the internet."

I see a slight flaw in that plan, Jim....
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut   2009-11-04 19:30  

#10  About 2/3 of the northern bit of Venezuela, where all the people are, is semi-arid.
Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain   2009-11-04 19:23  

#9  uh huh...drilling a well in downtown Caracas? Care to drink that, or even bathe in it?
Posted by: Frank G   2009-11-04 19:18  

#8  WHAT, you're telling me they can't dig a well or two where needed?
Or are the "Peasants" Just too used to "Free" and Can't think without orders, too damn lazy?

I needed water so I drilled a well myself, nothing to it, took about one day, then another too seal it and install a pump.

If they're too poor, leave off the pump and draw water by hand, plans are all over the internet.
Posted by: Redneck Jim   2009-11-04 19:14  

#7  What will the rich fill their swimming pools with?"

With the blood of the poor, of course. Just like here in America! Interesting how tyranny always needs a scapegoat
Posted by: SteveS   2009-11-04 14:11  

#6  ...isn't Venezuelan a tropical country? I mean, running out of water there is like running out of sand in Yemen, isn't it?
Posted by: Secret Master   2009-11-04 11:48  

#5  "After five years, there would be a shortage of sand."
-- Punchline to old Soviet joke
Posted by: mojo   2009-11-04 10:26  

#4  Rationing in a socia!ist system, how surprising. Not. Welcome to the future of Obamacare serfs. You think Hugo and his buddies are subject to rationing of the stuff? /rhet question
Posted by: Procopius2k   2009-11-04 07:13  

#3  Ya, just wait when they start resolving the lack of supply of toilet paper by increased production of locomotives!

(The Venezuelans will have the privilege to understand the joke above pretty soon)
Posted by: twobyfour   2009-11-04 02:08  

#2  I can picture Hugo doing his best Marie Antoinette impression and opining, "Let them drink oil!"

At this rate, the common man in Venezuela will want to string Hugo up for the economic damage the odious little President-for-Life continues to inflict.
Posted by: Jinens Lumplump6738   2009-11-04 02:05  

#1  funny how shortages always follow on the heals of a shift to social-ism...

Posted by: abu do you love    2009-11-04 01:05  

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