Venezuela suspends classes, work due to blackout

CARACAS -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has decided to suspend classes and work on Friday, due to a massive blackout that has affected much of the country since Thursday, said Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez.

Rodriguez said on Twitter that Maduro made the decision "in order to facilitate the work and efforts for the recovery of electric service in the country, victim of the imperial electric war."

"United Venezuelans will win, the coup leaders will not pass," added the vice president.

The capital and several regions of Venezuela suffered a massive blackout by a "sabotage" in the El Guri hydroelectric plant since Thursday afternoon, according to the Venezuelan authorities.

Venezuelan Minister of Communication Jorge Rodriguez reported Thursday night that a "technical and cyber sabotage" was carried out at the country's main hydroelectric plant, which has affected the entire country.

He said the service has been restored in some parts of the country.