A nationwide power cut left up to 70 per cent of Venezuela without electricity, causing chaos on transport and roads.
The capital, Caracas, which normally escapes the frequent power outages in the country, was also affected.
The capital’s underground service was temporarily interrupted, and authorities evacuated passengers from several trains.
President Nicolas Maduro blamed the power cut on “sabotage” as he confirmed 14 or 23 states were without electricity for much of yesterday. He said he had ordered the military to “protect the entire country.”
In an evening event broadcast on state TV, Mr Maduro said the power cut was “part of a low-level war” on what his government refers to as “the revolution” begun by the late President Hugo Chavez. He provided no evidence of any sabotage.
Service was “progressively restored” in many areas, including Caracas, by nightfall.
Electrical energy minister Jesse Chacon said on state TV that the failure was in the “backbone” that carries electricity from the Bajo Caroni region, where 60 per cent of Venezuela’s power is generated.
Despite possessing the world’s largest proven oil reserves, Venezuela has been plagued in recent years by worsening power outages.
They have, however, rarely affected metropolitan Caracas, home to more than one-sixth of the country’s 28 million people.
