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CARACAS (AP) — Venezuelans awoke Friday to widespread power outages in the capital, Caracas, that also affected several states.
President Nicolas Maduro’s government blamed the blackout, which began around 4:50 a.m., on “electricity sabotage.”
Transport Minister Freddy Nanez said workers were working to restore power. In a video message broadcast on social networks, he said no one “will steal the peace of the Venezuelan people.”
Venezuela has suffered frequent blackouts in the past, which the government almost always blames on its opponents, but energy experts point to fires damaging wires and poor maintenance of the power infrastructure.
Many of the country’s energy problems have eased as the economy has stabilized, high inflation has receded, and de facto dollarization has reduced shortages of imported products.
However, since last month’s disputed presidential election, authorities have been quick to blame any disruptions, even minor ones, on the opposition. The same thing happened on Tuesday, when power was cut in Caracas and several states in the center of the country.
Residents of the capital took Friday’s blackout in stride. Traffic was lighter than usual during the usually busy morning rush hour, and some complained they were unable to contact family members due to a lack of cellphone service.
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