A major blackout plunged most of Venezuela into darkness early Friday, with Communications Minister Freddy Nanez attributing it to sabotage of the national grid. Venezuela, which often experiences blackouts, has seen similar incidents blamed on alleged conspiracies by President Nicolas Maduro’s government, though opposition leaders and experts point to corruption and lack of investment.
The blackout affected all 24 states, with Western regions like Tachira and Zulia, known for their oil industry, frequently experiencing power outages. The worst blackout occurred in March 2019 and lasted several days.
Following the blackout, the government activated “anti-coup protocols,” especially in light of the disputed July 28 election where Maduro was declared the winner, but detailed results have not been released. The opposition claims their candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, won by a landslide, citing polling data as evidence.
Gonzalez Urrutia, accused of usurpation of functions and forgery for releasing election data, was summoned to appear before prosecutors on Friday, his third such summons
Venezuela Hit by Major Blackout; Government Blames Sabotage Amid Ongoing Political Tensions
