In order to adapt to the country's drought brought about by El Nino, store owners in Venezuela are forced to cut their operating hours by half in order to save power. Shops all across Caracas will be reducing their store operating hours to just four hours a day in order to address the Venezuelan government's orders to regulate power.

El Nino has caused severe problems all across South America, which includes water shortage in the northern parts of Venezuela. Last year, the Venezuelan government launched a communication campaign in order to inform Venezuelans of the effects of El Nino and how it would affect the urban and agricultural sectors of the country.

Venezuela's state energy corporation Corpoelec has asked all store owners and residents in Venezuela to have energy cuts twice per day. The first is between the hours of 1pm and 3pm and the second is between 7pm and 9pm. The Venezuelan government has also asked resident homeowners to cut water usage and keep a ready supply of water at hand, according to The Globe and Mail.

BBC reports that El Nino has brought about a severe drought within the country which has already affected Venezuela's 18 hydro-electric dams. While the Venezuelan government hopes that this will greatly help solve the country's energy crisis, many businessmen fear that this will severely affect jobs in the country.

The retail association of Venezuela, CAVECECO, has proposed another energy saving scheme that would be more feasible to business owners, proposing that stores and businesses open later in the day, like 12 noon and close at 7pm, which would save the country at least five hours of energy a day.

Many business owners and their employees have raised their concerns on the impracticality of the government's proposal, saying that suggesting to cut the power at 1pm would  impact their business. For most business owners, mid afternoon is where business is at its peak. Many restaurant owners complain that peak hours are mostly around noon. CAVECECO also said that having businesses open and close twice daily would be impractical and unfeasible.

The retail association added that the Venezuelan government should conduct a feasibility study before going through with the plans. CAVECECO also warned the Venezuelan government that proposing something so impractical could severely affect key operating sectors in the country, including the banking industry, supermarkets, pharmacies and even restaurants.

While CAVECECO has already sent its alternative proposal, they said that they have yet to hear a reply from the government.