Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Venezuela's Maduro: US Triggered Massive Blackout

Associated Press

   CARACAS, Venezuela -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Wednesday
   blamed the United States for a second widespread blackout this year
   that cast most of the South American nation in darkness amid an
   opposition campaign to overthrow him.
   Cuban officials, meanwhile, underscored that their support for Maduro
   is unwavering, saying U.S. attempts have failed to divide the communist
   island from the ideologically aligned Venezuelan leader.
   The most recent power outage hit Venezuela at rush hour Monday, leaving
   millions without basic services such as cellphone service, lights and
   running water while freezing Caracas' subway and snarling traffic.

   'High-tech' attack
   Maduro said the U.S. launched a ``high-tech electromagnetic attack'' to
   undermine his rule, but he gave no details or evidence linking the
   power failure to the United States. In March,heblamed U.S. sabotage for
   a nationwide blackout lasting nearly a week, considered the nation's
   worst power failure in its history.

   Maduro's opponents blame the outages on corruption and inadequate
   maintenance under two decades of socialist rule launched by the late
   President Hugo Chavez.

   Venezuelan officials also say the U.S. twice within the last week has
   sent a spy plane into its airspace. In one case, a Venezuelan fighter
   jet intercepted it, which U.S. officials say put the plane's crew in
   danger and threatenedits mission conducted while flying in
   international airspace.

.