Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro is blaming opposition leader Juan Guaido for a nationwide blackout that has extended into its fifth day.
According to a report from the Associated Press, Guaido is being investigated for his alleged role in the blackout by Maduro’s attorney general.
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuelan attorney general says opposition leader Juan Guaido under investigation for alleged attack on power grid.
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) March 12, 2019
Guaido called for demonstrations against Maduro after it was revealed that a lack of electricity had caused a number of patients in Venezuelan hospitals to die. Some apparently took that as evidence that he was using the blackout to force Maduro out of power, or that he had engineered the blackout for that purpose.
Amidst electricity blackout, Guaidó hints at strategy of economic sabotage to bring himself to power: “the light will return when the usurpation [of Maduro] ends.” https://t.co/TpRrEVpNWw
— Max Blumenthal (@MaxBlumenthal) March 10, 2019
When Venezuela first plunged into darkness several days earlier, Maduro attempted to blame his country’s plight on President Donald Trump and what he referred to as an “electrical war.” (RELATED: Maduro Blames Historic Blackout In Venezuela On US ‘Electrical War’)
“The electricity war declared and directed by U.S. imperialism against our people will be defeated,” Maduro said, according to a report from NPR. “Nothing and nobody will vanquish the people of Bolivar and Chavez.”
He also laid blame at the feet of Republican Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, whose response indicated just how ridiculous he found the accusation to be.
Tonight the “Baghdad Bob” of #Caracas @jorgerpsuv revealed I caused the nationwide & ongoing electric power outage in #Venezuela.
My apologies to people of Venezuela. I must have pressed the wrong thing on the “electronic attack” app I downloaded from Apple. My bad. https://t.co/5oZURMSnrB
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) March 8, 2019
Rubio has been a key voice in the fight to bring down the Maduro regime and restore free and fair elections to the people of Venezuela.