Monday's outage appeared similar to a massive September 5 blackout that was one of the worst in the South American OPEC member's history.

Venezuela has been suffering periodic electricity cuts around the country since 2009, although the capital has been spared the worst outages.

Critics say the power problems symbolize the failure of the government and its 15 years of socialist policies in resource-rich Venezuela. The country has the world's largest crude oil reserves and big rivers that feed hydroelectric facilities generating two-thirds of its power.

The blackouts, some due to planned power rationing and at other times to utility failures, have not affected the oil refineries, which are powered by separate generator plants.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/12/03/uk-venezuela-blackout-idUKBRE9B201X20131203