Maduro creates military unit to protect public service facilities

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro created a military unit on Friday charged with protecting basic installations and services such as electricity and water just over a week after the country was hit with a massive blackout.

Speaking on television and radio, Maduro said the "Command for the Defense of Basic Strategic Services" would be tasked with ensuring "security, operability and maintenance."

Its officers would be responsible for guaranteeing both "physical and cybernetic" security of infrastructure and maintenance of equipment.

Maduro repeated his claim that the blackout, which lasted almost a week, was due to "successive attacks" against the country's major hydroelectric facility at Guri in Bolivar state, "directed" by U.S. President Donald Trump's National Security Advisor John Bolton.

The blackout hit on March 7 and paralyzed the entire country.

The government announced on Tuesday that power was back on in practically the whole country but western regions still reported cuts.

Maduro also accused the opposition of concocting a plan "to accompany the blackout with general violence," claiming it was neutralized.

Opposition leader Juan Guaido in January declared himself acting president, which was rejected by Maduro as "sabotage." 

(AFP)