Sputnik – The blackout has been ongoing in Venezuela for almost a week following an incident at a major hydroelectric power plant, Guri, which national electricity supplier Corpoelec called “sabotage”. President Nicolas Maduro blamed the incident on Washington, citing US threats to apply all means against Venezuela.
Venezuelan Prosecutor General Tarek Saab has requested to open an investigation into self-proclaimed President Guaido over his alleged role in sabotaging the country’s electric system. Earlier, Venezuelan authorities arrested Spanish-Venezuelan journalist reporter and activist Luis Carlos Diaz on suspicion of also being involved in sabotaging the country’s electric system.
Electricity Grid Restored
The Venezuelan power grid has been almost completely restored following a massive blackout on 7 March, Venezuelan Communications Minister Jorge Rodriguez announced on 12 March.
“At this point, the electricity supply had been restored almost completely throughout the whole national territory”, Rodriguez said in a broadcast on state television.
Juan Guaido, leader of the Venezuelan opposition, earlier proclaimed himself the interim president of Venezuela, urging elected President Nicolas Maduro to resign. His claims were immediately supported by the US and most European states. However, Russia, China, Turkey, and a number of other countries condemned the move and expressed support for the legitimate president, Maduro.
Maduro has repeatedly accused Washington of attempting to stage a coup in his country by using Guaido as “puppet” and attempting to deliver humanitarian aid as a pretext for military intervention.
