CARACAS, Venezuela _ Most of Venezuela is in the dark after several states and Caracas were hit by a blackout Monday afternoon, prompting the evacuation of office buildings and a shutdown of the capital's subway system.
At least 15 states and the capital lost electrical power, according to local media reports. The Caracas subway system shut down its three lines and provided buses instead, according to the state television Twitter account.
President Nicolas Maduro and his government have insisted that the electrical problems are a product of sabotage and sophisticated attacks by the U.S. and local opposition, while industry experts and critics point to a lack of investment and maintenance.
Power failures in March cut into Venezuela's already flagging oil production, with output falling to zero in some areas for several days.
Maduro's regime has been rationing electricity in more than 20 states since April, excluding Caracas from the restriction to avoid spurring protests there. Still, de facto rationing has been in effect nationwide and in Caracas for years.
The blackout also hit Puerto Ordaz, a city near the Guri hydroelectrical power plant on which most of the country depends.
