MOSCOW, April 4. /TASS/. Venezuela is counting on Russia's support in matters of reliable energy supply in the South American country, Venezuelan Vice-President for Planning Ricardo Menendez told reporters.
"We are discussing the energy sector, especially in the context of sabotage in Venezuela. In this sense, cooperation with the Russian Federation will help to give real answers to the issues our country faces in this area," he said.
He also noted that the country has experience in "confronting direct aggression and attacks against its energy system," but the country is ready to accept help from partners from other countries in resolving the issue. Menendez noted that in the near future he will also discuss issues of cooperation in other sectors with Russia.
On March 7, the Simon Bolivar hydroelectric station in Venezuela crashed, which led to the largest blackout in Venezuela’s history. On March 9, an explosion occurred at the electrical substation of the city of Ciudad Bolivar and most of the country was once again was cut off from electricity.
Later on March 25, a new large-scale power outage occurred, when at least 16 of the 23 states in the country were left without electricity. On March 30, 21 states lost power. Blackouts have caused mass protests in Venezuela.