Delcy Rodríguez accuses opponents of sabotaging Venezuela’s power system over oil deals

Delcy Rodríguez accused unidentified actors on Friday of sabotaging Venezuela’s electricity system in protest against oil agreements signed with the United States during the past week.

Speaking to oil workers in an event broadcast by state television, Rodríguez said a blackout in western Venezuela had been deliberately caused. “Last Saturday they caused a blackout in the west. They manipulated gas pressures so that the thermoelectric system would fail,” she said. The affected states included oil-producing Zulia, which borders Colombia.

Rodríguez also said PDVSA Gas workers had detected that gas valves were being closed on Thursday night, disrupting gas systems, thermoelectric plants and the national grid. She urged workers at the state electricity company Corpoelec to remain alert, saying the alleged protest was aimed at harming the Venezuelan people.

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Last Saturday they caused a blackout in the west. They manipulated gas pressures so that the thermoelectric system would fail.

The interim president did not identify a direct perpetrator. She repeated the government’s longstanding explanation for Venezuela’s electricity crisis, citing foreign sanctions, rising electricity demand, high temperatures and sabotage by what she called “extremist mafias.” Experts and opposition figures, however, said widespread power failures reflected corruption, inadequate maintenance and other problems.

The government this week signed agreements with U.S. oil company Chevron and Italy’s Eni in the presence of U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright. It also signed an agreement with U.S. company GE Vernova to strengthen the national power system and restore infrastructure linked to the oil industry. Rodríguez said she was explaining the potential benefits of the oil agreement with Washington, announced on August 28 and criticized by several sectors.

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I call on the workers of Corpoelec to remain alert, because their protest against the signing of these oil agreements is to cause harm to the Venezuelan people.