*
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.