Gas rationed in oil-rich V’zuela

Soldiers oversaw rationing of gasoline at service stations in several parts of Venezuela on Sunday as worsening fuel shortages forced angry drivers to wait for hours to fill their tanks, prompting protests in some areas.

Venezuela, whose economy is reeling from a painful five-year recession amid a prolonged political crisis, saw long lines of vehicles at service stations in several regions this week after a shutdown at the OPEC nation’s second-largest refinery.

Shortages have been exacerbated by tough US sanctions on the Venezuelan state oil firm Petroleos de Venezuela SA in January, which have slashed crude oil exports and imports of refined fuels. The fuel shortages come on top of rolling power cuts in many parts of the country.

Washington recognized opposition head Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s rightful leader after he declared an interim presidency in January, saying President Nicolás Maduro rigged last year’s election.

Maduro calls Guaidó a US puppet and says Washington wants to control Venezuela’s oil reserves, the largest in the world.

In the western city of San Cristóbal, National Guard soldiers in anti-riot gear limited gasoline sales to 10.6 gallons per vehicle, witnesses said — roughly equivalent to a full tank on a compact vehicle.

Angry residents blocked streets with metal barriers, rubbish and branches in some parts of the city.

“How can a country function like this?” asked Antonio Tamariz, 58, who said he had waited for days for fuel to drive his truck back to his farm.

“No one has explained why there are so many lines for gasoline. I think the government is losing control of this.”

In the western oil hub of Maracaibo, where power cuts and fuel shortages have been severe in recent months, National Guard soldiers allowed drivers only 5.3 gallons, witnesses said.

Victor Chourio, a 58year-old taxi driver, said he waited for 12 hours Saturday without getting fuel.

“At 7 o’clock the gasoline ran out,” he said.

Venezuela’s Information Ministry did not respond to requests for comment. Oil Minister Manuel Quevedo said on Sunday his country’s oil industry was under siege from the US government.

Venezuela’s 310,000-barrels-per-day Cardon oil refinery halted operations Wednesday because of damage at some of its units, two workers at the PDVSAoperated complex said, leaving only two refineries in operation.