A massive power outage struck Venezuela on August 30, 2024, plunging 24 states, including the capital Caracas, into darkness. The blackout, which began at 4:50 AM local time, affected critical infrastructure and public services across the nation.The government of President Nicolás Maduro was quick to attribute the outage to ‘electrical sabotage,’ with Minister of Communication Freddy Ñáñez claiming it was part of a ‘coup plan’ orchestrated by the opposition. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello warned of ‘justice’ for those responsible for what he termed a ‘new electrical attack’.Opposition leaders vehemently denied these accusations, instead pointing to years of poor maintenance and lack of investment in the country’s electrical infrastructure as the root cause of the blackout. Juan Pablo Guanipa, a prominent opposition figure, stated, ‘The government’s narrative that the opposition is behind the sabotage is not believable, even for the most radical Chavistas’.This power crisis unfolds against the backdrop of ongoing political tensions following the disputed July 28 presidential elections. Both Maduro and opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia claim victory, with the opposition accusing the government of fraud.As of the evening of August 30, some residents in parts of Caracas reported the gradual restoration of electricity. However, the full extent of the blackout’s impact and the timeline for complete power restoration remain unclear.
Key points
- A nationwide power outage affected 24 states in Venezuela on August 30, 2024.
- The government accused the opposition of ‘electrical sabotage,’ claiming it was part of a ‘coup plan’.
- Opposition leaders denied the accusations, blaming poor maintenance and lack of investment in the electrical infrastructure.
- The blackout occurs amid ongoing tensions following disputed July 28 presidential elections.
- Some areas of Caracas began reporting power restoration by the evening.
Contradictions👾The government claims the blackout is due to opposition sabotage, while the opposition attributes it to poor maintenance and lack of investment.
👾Both President Maduro and opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia claim victory in the recent presidential elections.
