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Caracas, Venezuela (CNN) About the only thing that can be counted on around the clock at Gustavo Diaz's home these days is the gas stove.

The food in the fridge is spoiling. The microwave oven sits unused. The television is dark and the stereo system silent. It's sweaty and uncomfortable inside, thanks to government-imposed electricity blackouts meant to deal with chronic power shortages across the country.

Even getting running water is a problem.

"We can't go on living like this," he said. "We Venezuelan people deserve much better."

Power outages are nothing new for Venezuelans, including Diaz, who lives with his wife and three daughters in a Caracas suburb. But with the government's recent announcement of a formal rolling blackout program set to last at least 40 days, things have only gotten worse, he said.

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