Venezuela was hit by a countrywide blackout which affected 94 of its telecommunications infrastructure and left almost all of the country without power. Officials blamed the blackout – the fourth this year – on a hostile “electromagnetic However, opposition leader Juan Guaido claimed the Maduro administration was trying to cover up their own failures.

Mr Guaido, who declared himself interim leader earlier this year, said: “They tried to hide the tragedy by rationing throughout the country, but the failure is clear.

“They’ve destroyed the electricity system and they don’t have any answers.

“Tomorrow, with force, we go to the assembly on the street. Venezuelans will not get used to this disaster.”

He later blamed Mr Maduro’s government for remaining in power “without the capacity to provide an emergency solution”.

Caracas was left scrambling by the incident which saw internet connectivity running at just 10 percent.

Communications Minister Jorge Rodriguez said the attack deliberately targeted the Guri power station in Guyana, which produces 80 percent of the nation’s electricity.

He added: “The first indications received from the investigation point to the existence of an electromagnetic attack.”

Mr Maduro was more forceful with his rhetoric as he sent a message to Venezuela’s enemies.

He said: “Faced with another criminal attack on the peace and tranquillity of our homeland, the Bolivarian government and the FANB (armed forces) have been deployed to attend to the needs of the people.

“We, the sons and daughters of Bolívar, will show once again our unbreakable will. We will overcome!”

Scenes in Caracas saw traffic lights losing power, disruptions to public transport and consumers being unable to use essential credit and debit cards.

Electricity minister Fredy Brito said: “We are in the process of reconnection to restore service.

“The labour force is dedicated to restoring the system.”

Venezuela was also hit by a major power outage in March which lasted a week and devastated public services.

The controversy comes a day after Caracas clashed with Washington over a US spy plane that entered Venezuela’s airspace.

Mr Rodriguez said a plane had unexpectedly flown over the Caracas airport flight information region.

Government adviser Diosdado Cabello claimed the US military was posing a serious threat to Venezuela, adding: “All threats will elicit an immediate response.”

Venezuela has been locked in political turmoil since the turn of the year after Mr Guaido declared himself interim leader of the country.

He has been recognised by the US and EU as the legitimate President of Venezuela, despite Mr Maduro comfortably winning the last round of elections in 2018 – where Mr Guaido’s party boycotted the polls.

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