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On July 22nd, most states in Venezuela suffered a blackout after an alleged “electromagnetic attack” on the country’s power grid.

This was announced by both Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez.

It was the first blackout to include the capital, Caracas, since March, when the government blamed the opposition and United States for a series of power outages that left millions of people without running water and telecommunications.

It is interesting that on the same day an intelligence aircraft violated Venezuelan airspace, an alleged electromagnetic attack took place on the power grid.

Ante el nuevo ataque criminal contra la tranquilidad y la Paz de la Patria, el Gobierno Bolivariano y la #FANB se encuentran desplegados atendiendo las necesidades del pueblo. Los hijos e hijas de Bolívar demostraremos una vez más nuestra voluntad inquebrantable. ¡Venceremos! pic.twitter.com/M6SYC0VIEA — Nicolás Maduro (@NicolasMaduro) July 23, 2019

Power returned for about 10 minutes to parts of southeastern Bolivar state, site of the Guri hydroelectric dam – the source of most of Venezuela’s generation – but went out again, according to a Reuters witness. Electricity was still out throughout Caracas.

Venezuelan Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez said the outage on Monday was caused by an “electromagnetic attack,” without providing evidence. He added that authorities were in the process of re-establishing service.

During a press conference, the Venezuelan vice-president explained that at 09:52 hours (local time), a new violation occurred on the part of the US aircraft model EP-3E ARIES II, a specialist plane used in intelligence, war and electronic espionage, in the airspace of the South American nation.

Atención!! El Gobierno Bolivariano se dirige al Pueblo de Venezuela pic.twitter.com/VYPYsPBW11 — Jorge Rodríguez (@jorgerpsuv) July 22, 2019

Rodríguez explained that the violation occurred when the aircraft did not communicate its flight plan when venturing into Venezuelan airspace, so the aviation of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces ( FANB ) proceeded to intercept and later eject the plane.

“By flying over the Flight Information Region (FIR) of Maiquetía, this in addition to spying produces a danger within the airspace of Venezuela,” he said.

Rodriguez also noted that since January of this year (2019), violations and incursions into Venezuelan airspace have increased by 167 percent, in addition to having detected at least 78 opportunities a violation of the Maiquetía FIR.

“These US planes that have entered illegally within Venezuelan airspace, have the ability to carry missiles, as well as high technology and extensive electronic capabilities,” said the Venezuelan sector vice president.

In response, US National Security Adviser John Bolton said that “the Venezuelan regime” had no right to undertake provocative actions against US Navy aircraft that is partaking in a routine mission.

Image Credits: Reuters