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Power cut leaves most of Venezuela without electricity Power cut leaves most of Venezuela without electricity
(about 5 hours later)
A power cut has left 70% of Venezuela without electricity, including parts of the capital Caracas.A power cut has left 70% of Venezuela without electricity, including parts of the capital Caracas.
The blackout disabled traffic lights in the city, causing traffic chaos. It also partially disrupted the underground transport system.The blackout disabled traffic lights in the city, causing traffic chaos. It also partially disrupted the underground transport system.
Thousands of workers were sent home. Power was slowly being restored in different areas after the cuts.Thousands of workers were sent home. Power was slowly being restored in different areas after the cuts.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro blamed the opposition for "sabotage" to power transmission lines.Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro blamed the opposition for "sabotage" to power transmission lines.
"Everything seems to indicate that the far-right has resumed its plan for an electrical strike against the country," he said in a tweet. "Everything seems to indicate that the extreme right has resumed its plan for an electrical strike against the country," he said in a tweet.
But critics say poor management and the failure to invest in infrastructure are to blame. In a live address on state television, the president also said the cuts were "part of a low-level war" against the country, a "folly by twisted and desperate minds".
Authorities say they are working to re-establish services, and they will give priority to transport in Caracas. 'Poor upkeep'
The oil industry has not been affected by the power cut, as Venezuela's oil refineries are powered by separate generator plants. President Maduro did not give any evidence of the "sabotage" but said he had instructed the military "to protect the entire country".
Opposition leader Henrique Capriles said the government was trying to divert public attention from the country's problems by concocting the conspiracy theory.
Deputy Electrical Energy Minister Franco Silva said a fault had occurred in one of the national grid's main transmission lines at 12:30 local time (17:00GMT).
The cut affected large parts of the country for about three hours, after which time power was gradually restored.
The oil industry was not affected as Venezuela's oil refineries are powered by separate generator plants.
Government officials have in the past said that high energy consumption at peak times and poor maintenance of transmission lines have led to a high incidence of cuts.
In 2010 the late President Hugo Chavez signed a decree declaring an "electricity emergency" to help his government tackle power shortages.In 2010 the late President Hugo Chavez signed a decree declaring an "electricity emergency" to help his government tackle power shortages.
The opposition says the government of Mr Chavez and his successor, Nicolas Maduro, may have spent billions of dollars on programmes to garner votes from the poor but has failed to invest in the upkeep and expansion of the electrical grid to meet growing demand.
Although Venezuela has big oil reserves, it is dependent on hydro-electricity for some 70% of its power.Although Venezuela has big oil reserves, it is dependent on hydro-electricity for some 70% of its power.
Power cuts are common in Venezuela, especially in the country's interior states, but rarely affect the capital, Caracas.
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