Venezuela struggles to keep the lights on

Americo Fernandez uses a candle to illuminate the kitchen at his home during a blackout in Maracaibo, July 25, 2018. Once oil wealthy, Venezuela's largest state is now struggling to keep the lights on. REUTERS/Marco Bello

Cindy Morales cries at the entrance of her home during a blackout in Maracaibo, July 25, 2018. Across Maracaibo, the capital of Venezuela's largest state, residents unplug refrigerators to guard against power surges. Many only buy food they will...more

People use light from phones while they help Olimpia Mora, who is in a wheelchair, to go out from a building during a blackout in Caracas, July 31, 2018. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

Ismael, son of Cindy Morales, lays down in a mattress at the porch of their home during a blackout in Maracaibo, July 25, 2018. REUTERS/Marco Bello

People block a street in protest during a blackout in Maracaibo, July 26, 2018. The rolling blackouts in the state of Zulia pile more misery on Venezuelans living under a fifth year of an economic crisis that has sparked malnutrition, hyperinflation...more

People use light from phones while they walk on the staircase of a building during a blackout in Caracas, July 31, 2018. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

A private security guard stands close to the entrance of a parking garage during a blackout in Caracas, July 31, 2018. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

Judith Palmar mops her home in Maracaibo, July 25, 2018. Zulia, the historic heart of Venezuela's energy industry that was for decades known for opulent oil wealth, has been plunged into darkness for several hours a day since March, sometimes leaving...more

People speak in front of a restaurant at a shopping mall as they wait for the power to be restored during a blackout in Caracas, July 31, 2018. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

A CLAP box, a Venezuelan government handout of basic food supplies, is seen amid garbage dump along a canal in Maracaibo, July 26, 2018. In the past, Zulians considered themselves living in a 'Venezuelan Texas', rich from oil and with an identity...more

People wait for public transportation in Maracaibo, July 26, 2018. Once famous for its all-night parties, now Maracaibo is often a sea of darkness at night due to blackouts. REUTERS/Marco Bello

People wait at the emergency area of a clinic during a blackout in Caracas, July 31, 2018. REUTERS/Marco Bello

Elizabeth Altuve poses for a photo at the occupied building where she lives in Maracaibo, July 26, 2018. REUTERS/Marco Bello

A main highway is seen during rush hour in Maracaibo, July 26, 2018. Zulia used to produce 70 percent of Venezuela's milk and meat but without power to milk cows and keep meat from spoiling, the state's production has fallen nearly in half, according...more

Bread for sale are seen in a shelf of the bakery of Annie Salazar at Rafael Urdaneta slum in Maracaibo, July 25, 2018. REUTERS/Marco Bello

Cindy Morales stands at the door to the backyard at her home during a blackout in Maracaibo, July 25, 2018. REUTERS/Marco Bello

Judith Palmar holds her mother Sibilina Caro hand after feeding her at their home in Maracaibo, July 25, 2018. When the lights do go out, Palmar wheels her paralyzed mother outside because the house becomes intolerably hot. One power cut damaged an...more

Electrical posts and power lines are seen at sunset during a blackout in Maracaibo, July 25, 2018. REUTERS/Marco Bello

Matilde Balza takes a recipient out of the refrigerator her home at Rafael Urdaneta slum in Maracaibo, July 25, 2018. REUTERS/Marco Bello

Cindy Morales pulls a mattress out of a room at her home during a blackout in Maracaibo, July 25, 2018. REUTERS/Marco Bello

Ismael, son of Cindy Morales, lays down in a mattress at the porch of their home during a blackout in Maracaibo, July 25, 2018. REUTERS/Marco Bello

Electrical posts and power lines are seen at sunset during a blackout in Maracaibo, July 26, 2018. REUTERS/Marco Bello

Elizabeth Altuve climbs the stairs at the occupied building where she lives in Maracaibo, July 26, 2018. REUTERS/Marco Bello