The Ministry of Health issued a circular dated August 5, 2026, implementing identical alternating schedules for administrative staff at ministry headquarters and affiliated entities. The directive exempts healthcare workers, laboratory personnel, epidemiological surveillance teams, and staff managing medical supply logistics and warehousing. Sucre state Governor Jhoanna Carrillo announced parallel measures beginning August 10, with state and municipal public administration operating Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM.
Meléndez demanded that high-consumption establishments including shopping centers and large enterprises deploy self-generation systems. Rodríguez met with private sector representatives August 6 to evaluate consumption reductions in industries, hotels, and commercial facilities, targeting air conditioning, elevators, and escalators.
A U.S. Embassy statement confirmed that Department of Energy specialists and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory personnel conducted technical inspections at the Simón Bolívar dam, known as Guri, which provides fundamental generation capacity for Venezuela’s national grid. The visit forms part of announced support efforts for energy sector recovery.
The measures follow Rodríguez’s August 2 activation of an electrical contingency plan, which set a target of adding 4,800 megawatts of thermoelectric generation before year-end through contracts with General Electric and IMPSA. Rodríguez characterized widespread electricity and water conservation as “the most important” component of the response strategy. Energy sector analysts note that 87% of Venezuela’s installed thermoelectric capacity remains inoperative, eliminating backup generation during drought periods affecting hydroelectric output.
This article was curated and published as part of our South American energy market coverage.
