Chile Restores Power to Most Homes After Massive Blackout

Chile experienced its worst blackout in over a decade on February 25, 2025, affecting around 19 million people and forcing President Gabriel Boric to declare a state of emergency and impose a curfew. The outage was caused by a failure of a high-voltage transmission line in the Norte Chico region, leading to a nationwide loss of power that disrupted transport and daily life. By Wednesday morning, over 90% of power had been restored, with major mining operations, including those of Codelco and Anglo American, beginning to return to normal. The government mobilized 3,000 soldiers to maintain order during the crisis and ensure public safety. Boric criticized private companies for their role in the outage, emphasizing the need for accountability. The blackout occurred amid a heatwave, prompting authorities to provide essential services such as drinking water in affected areas.