Low rainfall caused by the El Ni±o weather pattern has left water levels in the South American country's main reservoir critically low.

In a televised Cabinet meeting Wednesday, President Hugo Chavez called for Venezuelans to start conserving water, saying, quote, "Some people sing in the shower, in the shower half an hour.

No kids, three minutes is more than enough." The leftist leader boasted that he limits his own showers to three minutes, adding, "and I don't stink." He also got a chuckle from his Cabinet members when he chastised Venezuelans who choose to relax in a hot tub, saying, "We're not in times of Jacuzzi."

Chavez's push for water conservation comes in the middle of a Venezuelan energy crisis.

The country has suffered several widespread blackouts this year as a result of skyrocketing energy consumption.

The country's hydroelectric dams have not had high enough water levels to keep up with demand.

Chavez introduced several measures Wednesday aimed at energy conservation.

He has asked for government-run companies and his ministries to immediately slash energy consumption by 20-percent.

(Copyright 2009 by VERTEXNews/Newsroom Solutions)