Clocks in Venezuela go forward to save electricity
The electricity crisis in Venezuela is going from bad to worse.
The country lost half an hour of sleep on Sunday as clocks moved forward to save power.
The time change was ordered by President Nicolas Maduro, as the government implements a series of measures to help deal with the electricity shortage and deep economic crisis.
The night-time use of lighting and air conditioning was especially draining for the national power grid, science and technology minister Jorge Arreaza said.
"It will be simple to move the clock forward a half hour – this will allow us to enjoy more daylight, and it wont get dark so early," he said.
Read more: Venezuela declares every Friday a holiday as energy crisis bites
Clocks moving forward comes hot on the heels of Maduro's declaration that every Friday for two months would be a holiday due to the crippling energy crisis.
Despite its vast oil reserves, Venezuela is highly dependent on its hydroelectric dams which are at extremely low levels due to a severe drought. The country has had to deal with a drop in oil prices, and is suffering from a shortage of food and basic goods.
Read more: People in Venezuela have been told not to turn up for work next week
Indeed, Maduro has blamed the energy crisis on the drought.
This, coupled with what critics say is a lack of investment and maintenance in energy infrastructure, has hit the South American nation hard.
And in March, Maduro decreed a week-long break over Easter, ordering some shopping malls to generate their own power, and shortening daily working hours.
While the government maintains the problems stem from the drought, opponents say that the crisis is down to mismanagement.