Power has begun to return to some parts of Venezuela after its capital Caracas and much of the rest of the country were plunged into a blackout that the government blamed on sabotage.
The country experiences frequent blackouts, which President Nicolas Maduro, who is locked in a dispute with the opposition over the outcome of a July 28 presidential election, often blames on the opposition, accusations they have denied.
“We are reporting that at approximately 4:40am (08:40 GMT) today, Friday, August 30, an electrical sabotage took place in Venezuela … which has affected almost the entire national territory,” Communications Minister Freddy Nanez told the state-run VTV channel.
“All 24 states are reporting total or partial loss of electricity supply,” he said.
By about 1pm local time (16:00 GMT) on Friday, power had returned to some parts of western city Maracaibo, central city Valencia, eastern city Puerto Ordaz and capital Caracas, the Reuters news agency reported, citing witnesses.