Maduro denounces the threat of a blackout by hacktivists amid the electrical crisis.

In a recent speech broadcast on the state channel VTV, Nicolás Maduro, the president of Venezuela, denounced a threat of a national blackout coming from an account associated with the hacktivist group Anonymous. According to Maduro, this account is not only a vehicle for spreading the war of hatred against his government but is also linked to an alleged war room in the United States, operated by "fascists." These statements come amid growing tensions in the country, where the stability of the electrical system has been a recurring concern. The Venezuelan leader claimed that the attacks on the electrical system are orchestrated from abroad and hinted that there is a clear political intent behind this activity. "We already know who operated it, who contracted it, who financed it," Maduro said, although he did not provide concrete details about the evidence that would support these accusations. However, he displayed a post on the social media platform X, dated August 7, in which there was an apology for a planned attack on the national electrical system. The president's belligerent rhetoric is set against a backdrop where blackouts have become frequent in Venezuela, a country that has suffered a prolonged electrical crisis in recent years, exacerbated by a lack of investment and infrastructure deterioration. Despite these difficulties, Maduro assured that more than 90% of the country's supermarkets were operating with their own power generation plants, as well as 100% of popular markets and most commercial establishments. The president also emphasized that the healthcare system continues to function thanks to electrical self-generation. He stated that, even amid the crisis, significant medical procedures, such as a bone marrow transplant, were carried out, although he did not specify which hospital it took place in. This seems to be an attempt to show that, despite adversities, the government remains committed to public health care. In a defiant tone, Maduro called for calm among the population, urging them not to be swayed by what he considers criminal attacks against the country. He assured that investigations into the origin of these blackouts are progressing and promised that they will be deepened in the coming days. However, many citizens and experts in electrical infrastructure doubt the effectiveness of these investigations, pointing to a lack of maintenance and the obsolescence of the system as more likely causes of the electrical problems. The most recent blackout, which affected most states, was the second major incident in a few years, recalling the collapse of March 2019, when Venezuela faced nearly four days without electricity. On that occasion, the government also blamed external actors, such as the opposition and foreign governments, for being responsible for the crisis. This narrative has led many in the country to view the electrical crisis as a phenomenon that goes beyond simple deficiencies in public services. Maduro's words have generated mixed reactions among the population. Some support his approach of blaming external forces as a way to divert attention from internal problems, while others criticize the government for not taking responsibility for the failures in managing the electrical system. Doubts about the veracity of the accusations are intertwined with general distrust towards a government that has faced numerous allegations of corruption and mismanagement. Meanwhile, authorities continue to work in Guri to restore normal electrical service, although a clear assessment of the progress in restoring supply across the country has not been provided. Uncertainty persists in the daily lives of Venezuelans, who increasingly rely on alternative energy sources for their basic needs. In this context, the electrical situation in Venezuela remains a topic of great national and international relevance. The crisis not only affects the quality of life of citizens but also raises questions about the government's ability to manage the country amid a prolonged crisis. The future of the electrical system and the possibility of a new blackout are issues that will continue to generate debate in Venezuelan society.