Headquarters of CORPOELEC in Caracas, Venezuela. File photo.
Caracas (OrinocoTribune.com)—A statement issued this Friday, April 11, by the Venezuelan Ministry of Electric Energy through the National Electric Corporation, SA (CORPOELEC) reported that the National Electric System (NES) suffered a new “terrorist and fascist” attack. However, the electricity organization stated that the situation was immediately addressed and the system restored.
In the statement, CORPOELEC reported that three individuals were arrested for this incident, being identified as the perpetrators of the sabotage. Evidence points to far-right sectors of the Venezuelan opposition seeking to disrupt the Holy Week holiday, according to CORPOELEC.
The statement also confirms that power was restored in record time. So far, no details have been provided on the identity of the detainees or the specific nature of the attack. Far-right opposition politician María Corina Machado posted a message on social media mocking CORPOELEC’s statement and who will be blamed for the incident.
On Friday afternoon, a very brief power outage was reported in some areas of Caracas and other major Venezuelan cities.
In recent weeks, Venezuelan authorities announced an emergency precautionary plan to avoid NES disruptions due to low water levels in important dams in the Andean area of Venezuela, due to the dry season and climate change. Since then, rains have been reported across Venezuelan territory and its Andean region. No major electricity incident has been reported in recent weeks.
CORPOELEC also explained that it established communication with the Ministry of Interior to activate citizen security agencies and initiate a thorough investigation of the event.
Terrorist sabotage against the NES has been recorded in Venezuela for several years, adding more stress to the fragility caused primarily by the US blockade.
Below is the full unofficial translation of the statement:
Today, Friday, April 11, we report that our National Electric System has suffered another terrorist and fascist attack. However, the situation was immediately addressed and the system restored.
At this time, we report to the country that three (03) individuals have been arrested and identified as the perpetrators of this event. Evidence points to extremist sectors of the Venezuelan right wing seeking to harm the Holy Week holiday of our people.
In response, teams from our National Electric Corporation (CORPOELEC) and the Ministry of People’s Power for Electric Energy (MPPEE) focused on resolving this attack. In record time, we have managed to restore electricity to our people.
Likewise, contact was established with the Ministry of People’s Power for Internal Affairs, Justice, and Peace to activate all public safety agencies and immediately begin a thorough investigation into the incident.
From the Ministry of People’s Power for Electric Energy, we reiterate to this group of terrorists: They could not, and they will not be able to! We are determined to be free and independent under the leadership of our President Nicolás Maduro Moros.
Ministry of People’s Power for Electric Energy
Special for Orinoco Tribune by staff
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