El Pitazo. Blackouts Increase as Corpoelec’s Electricity Deficit Widens
Nataly Angulo at El Pitazo reported that power rationing has increased sharply across Venezuela, with daily blackouts now reaching six to eight hours in numerous states and more than 10 hours in some rural areas. The deterioration comes as electricity demand reached 16,030 MW—the highest level reported in nine years—while Corpoelec’s generation deficit may now exceed 3,000 MW. Guri recently lost additional capacity. Unit 17 at the Simón Bolívar Hydroelectric Plant went offline on August 29. 770 MW. LINK
Venezuela’s deteriorating electricity and water. 70.2% of households with serious deficiencies
Anova Policy Research estimates that Venezuela’s deteriorating electricity and water services are imposing major economic and social costs. In 2026, 70.2% of households experienced serious deficiencies in at least one service, while daily electricity outages affected 62.8%. Anova estimates these failures effectively removed 494,763 people from the workforce, as households devote substantial time to coping with blackouts and obtaining water. Labor-force participation is significantly lower among households with unreliable services. The resulting lost wages are estimated at $1.16 billion, or 1.04% of GDP. Electricity demand has meanwhile reached 16,030 MW, substantially exceeding available generation capacity. LINK
Media freedom increases. Blocks lifted from 14 news organizations.
El País reports Venezuela lifted blocks on Crónica Uno, El Pitazo, Alberto News, El Estímulo, Runrunes, Efecto Cocuyo, Caraota Digital, Monitoreamos, Spain’s EFE and Colombia’s Semana, ahead of political negotiations. More than 200 domains had been restricted, making the move significant but still limited. Among prominent outlets reported as remaining restricted after the initial action were El Nacional, La Patilla, Tal Cual, Analítica, Armando.info, VPItv, Infobae, La Gran Aldea, Maduradas and Noticiero Digital. LINK
But 51 News Sites remain blocked.
VE Sin Filtro's September 21 database still showed 183 blocked domains and 51 blocked news sites. Founded in 2014 by Venezuelan digital-rights activist Andrés Azpúrua, VE Sin Filtro is the country’s leading technical monitor of internet censorship and website blocking. It operates as a program of Conexión Segura y Libre, formerly Venezuela Inteligente, a nonprofit founded in 2012. VE sin Filtro. LINK
Inter-American Development Bank IDB to re-engage in Venezuela. Electricity focus.
The Inter-American Development Bank IDB is preparing a two-year engagement plan for Venezuela, with electricity and social protection among its priorities. IDB President Ilan Goldfajn said missions are already visiting Venezuela to assess economic conditions, improve data, and determine investment needs across key sectors. The initiative represents a significant reengagement after the IDB stopped new lending in 2018. Financing has not yet resumed, however, and Venezuela still owes the bank approximately $2 billion. LINK.
Grupo Lamar’s founder José Enrique Rincón remains in prison. 9000 jobs lost.
Grupo Lamar’s crisis began in late 2024, when the government accused founder José Enrique Rincón of involvement in an alleged conspiracy and took control of the company’s operations. Once responsible for roughly 70–80% of Venezuela’s shrimp production, Lamar’s former assets are now operated by Xia Caribe Mar, linked to Turkey’s Miller Holding, with production sharply reduced. More than 9,000 jobs have reportedly been lost. Rincón returned voluntarily in June 2026, was imprisoned at Rodeo I, and subsequently began a hunger strike. El Pitazo LINK. Seafood LINK
Human Rights Watch made its first official visit to Venezuela in 18 years,
Human Rights Watch made its first official visit to Venezuela in 18 years, finding that overt repression has eased but major human-rights and institutional concerns remain. Hundreds of political prisoners have been released and media restrictions loosened, but at least 344 political prisoners remain. The humanitarian crisis also remains severe, with more than 18 million Venezuelans reportedly unable to meet basic needs and persistent electricity and water shortages. HRW called for judicial, electoral and security reforms. LINK.
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