Venezuela is heading for failed state territory and the president, Nicolas Maduro, decided to concoct a conspiracy theory for why 70% of the country was without power for about 3 hours yesterday. Governments that need conspiracy theories to explain their own incompetence, usually end up on the ash heap of history. BBC: The blackout disabled traffic lights in the city, causing traffic chaos. It also partially disrupted the underground transport system. Thousands of workers were sent home. Power was slowly being restored in different areas after the cuts. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro blamed the opposition for "sabotage" to power transmission lines. "Everything seems to indicate that the extreme right has resumed its plan for an electrical strike against the country," he said in a tweet. In a live address on state television, the president also said the cuts were "part of a low-level war" against the country, a "folly by twisted and desperate minds". 'Poor upkeep'...(Read Full Post)