Massive electrical blackout in Venezuela; Government blames opposition

Much of Venezuela was in darkness early Friday due to one of the largest power outages in years. Twenty-two of 23 states were hit by the blackout and the government blamed on sabotage at a hydroelectric dam saying it is an electrical war directed by the United States.

Venezuelan economy has been collapsed under hyperinflation in recent years and policies of President Nicolas Maduro are being blamed. The country is currently suffering from food and medicine shortages. More than three million citizens have emigrated. Lately blackouts have been frequent in the country.

According to critics under investment and corruption have left Venezuela’s power grid unable to function.

Meanwhile, Communications Minister Jorge Rodriguez put the blames on right-wing extremists for taking orders from Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio.

State-owned electricity operator Corpoelec blamed the massive blackout as an act of sabotage at the Guri Dam, which is one of the largest hydroelectric stations in the world.

Thousands of people hit the streets as subway service was stopped and cars were seen jammed on the streets. Many had to walk long distances to reach their homes.

However, many residents blamed the government for the blackout and one of them said, “The person responsible for this is named Nicolas Maduro… This is just the tip of the iceberg given all the things we’re suffering.”

Opposition leader Juan Guaido tweeted that Maduro is to be blamed for the outage.