The Atlantic: Ongoing Blackouts Hit Already Struggling Venezuelans
“Last Thursday, a massive power outage struck across much of Venezuela, affecting huge parts of its infrastructure, from clean water and food storage to medical care, communications, and more. Amid a years-long economic crisis and building political crisis, the Venezuelan government and its opposition are blaming each other for the collapse of the power grid…” (Taylor, 3/12).

Reuters: Desperate Venezuelans swarm sewage drains in search of water
“…The lack of water has become one of the most excruciating side effects of the nationwide blackout that the government of President Nicolas Maduro has blamed on U.S.-backed sabotage but his critics call the product of corruption and incompetence. The blackout has worsened the situation of a country already facing a hyperinflationary economic collapse that has spurred a mass migration and turned once-basic items like corn flour and toilet paper into unaffordable luxuries for most people. … Many worry about the spread of disease. The lack of water compounds the inability to buy soap due to soaring prices or chronic shortages…” (Ellsworth/Sequera, 3/11).

Scientific American: Infectious Diseases Spike amid Venezuela’s Political Turmoil
“Cases of malaria, dengue fever, Zika, and other serious illnesses have reached alarming levels in Venezuela and are spilling over into neighboring countries, according to several recent studies. These so-called vector-borne diseases — transmitted by mosquitoes or other organisms — have increased by as much as 400 percent in Venezuela in the last decade, according to a review study published in The Lancet in February…” (Daley, 3/12).