Authorities in Venezuela have detained two people over suspicions of attempted sabotage on the country’s electrical power system, President Nicolas Maduro said Monday evening.
“We have apprehended two people who attempted to sabotage the communications system at the Guri dam in order to impede the process of [power supply] restoration. They are being questioned”, Maduro said in a public address to the Venezuelan people.
Maduro also said he believed that US President Donald Trump was mainly responsible for the cyber attack and disruption on Venezuela’s electrical power grid system.
“Donald Trump is a key responsible person for the cyber attack on Venezuela’s electricity system. He has said that all scenarios [with respect to Venezuela] were possible, and his marionettes and clowns in Venezuela itself echo him… A high-tech cyber attack has been carried out against Venezuela, and only the US government has the technology [needed to carry out such an attack]”, Maduro stated.
He added that the cyber attack had been localized and the relevant agencies were working to restore power supplies in the country.
A blackout swept Venezuela last Thursday as national electricity supplier Corpoelec reported of “sabotage” at the Guri hydroelectric power plant, with media reporting about power outages in 21 of 23 Venezuelan states.
Maduro has blamed the United States for waging an energy war against Venezuela, while the U.S. has denied having a role in the crisis.
