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Power outages hit Caracas, Venezuelan states

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Blackout disrupts key facilities, including major oil

terminal

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Government blames opposition without providing evidence

(Recasts with Maduro comments)

CARACAS/BARQUISIMETO, Venezuela, Aug 30 (Reuters) -

P ower began had returned to some parts of Venezuela on Friday

evening after capital Caracas and much of the rest of the

country were plunged into a blackout that the government blamed

on sabotage by the opposition, without providing evidence.

President Nicolas Maduro, who is locked in a dispute with

the opposition over the outcome of a July 28 presidential

election, often blames what he says are "attacks" on the power

grid on his political rivals, accusations the opposition has

always denied.

The blackout was the result of an attack on the Guri

Reservior, Venezuela's largest hydroelectric project, Maduro

said on state television on Friday evening, as he blamed the

opposition and what he said were fascists in the United States.

Maduro offered no evidence for his claims, but said the

attack had been focused on transmission lines and was large.

A rapid investigation was taking place, he added.

"I won't say more because it is being investigated to be

able to achieve justice in this case," Maduro said.

All 24 of the country's states reported a total or partial

loss of electricity supply, Freddy Nanez, the minister of

communication and information, said on state television early on

Friday morning.

"We have been victims once again of electrical

sabotage," he said.