CARACAS, March 9. /TASS/. Power outage across Venezuela occurred as a result of a cyber attack, Vice President for Communications Jorge Rodriguez said on Friday.

"A cyber attack targeted the automatic control system at the hydroelectric power station," Rodriguez said. "In response to the attack, the power station's operation was temporarily shut down, which led to interruptions in electricity supply," he added.

Rodriguez said that the cyber attack may have been carried out from the United States.

On Thursday 20 out of 23 Venezuelan regions were left without electricity. The National Electric Company said that the blackout was caused by an accident at the Simon Bolivar hydroelectric power station. Maduro blamed "US imperialism" for the accident. The US State Department denied any involvement.

Electricity is being gradually restored across Venezuela.