Nationwide Blackout Strikes Venezuela Amid Political Tensions

Venezuela experienced a significant nationwide blackout on August 30, with communications minister Freddy Ñáñez attributing it to 'electrical sabotage' by opposition forces. The outage began around 4:40 AM and affected nearly all states, including the capital, Caracas. This incident follows a pattern where the Maduro government blames disruptions on alleged sabotage rather than addressing systemic issues like poor maintenance of the electrical grid. Experts argue that the frequent power outages stem from inadequate infrastructure upkeep, rather than the government's claims of conspiratorial attacks. The blackout has sparked fear among residents reminiscent of the prolonged outages during the 2019 crisis, as many worry about the impact on daily life and the economy. Despite the government's narrative, opposition leaders highlight the role of corruption and mismanagement in the ongoing energy crisis in Venezuela.