Nationwide power outages in Venezuela: Government cites sabotage as crisis deepens

Venezuela has been plunged into darkness once again as power outages affected all states, including the capital, Caracas.

Communications Minister Freddy Ñáñez attributed the widespread blackout to sabotage, stating, "At 04:30 Friday morning, we once again faced sabotage on our power grids," Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The government has taken special measures in Caracas to manage ground transport under these challenging circumstances, assuring citizens that they "will not allow the peaceful and tranquil life of Venezuelan citizens to be disrupted".

In a subsequent video message, Ñáñez confirmed that the power outage impacted all 24 states in the country and linked the crisis to the actions of political opponents targeting President Nicolas Maduro's administration. This incident echoes a similar pattern from 2019, where frequent power outages crippled the nation. While the government consistently blamed opposition sabotage, energy experts pointed to fires damaging power lines and the poor maintenance of critical infrastructure as the root causes.

Background information

Venezuela has been grappling with severe economic, political, and infrastructural crises for years, which have exacerbated the country's power grid's vulnerability. The energy sector, once a cornerstone of the Venezuelan economy, has been in decline due to mismanagement, corruption, and the impact of international sanctions. The country’s hydroelectric power plants, which generate the majority of Venezuela’s electricity, have suffered from chronic underinvestment, leading to frequent blackouts that disrupt daily life and economic activities.

In 2019, Venezuela experienced one of its worst electricity crises, with nationwide blackouts lasting for days. The government, led by President Nicolas Maduro, often blames these blackouts on sabotage by opposition forces. However, independent experts have repeatedly pointed out that the deteriorating state of the country’s electrical infrastructure is largely to blame. Fires, outdated equipment, and a lack of proper maintenance have left the power grid in a fragile state, making it susceptible to widespread failures. The ongoing power outages continue to deepen the hardships faced by Venezuelans, who are already struggling with shortages of necessities, hyperinflation, and political instability.