A Power cut briefly darkened Venezuela's capital Caracas and other parts of the country on Monday night.

President Nicolas Maduro said it appeared to have been another act of sabotage against his socialist government.

The blackout began shortly after 8pm as Mr Maduro spoke to the nation about his plan to reduce inflation on cars by instituting strict price controls on the second-hand car market.

Mr Maduro took to Twitter to say that his aides were monitoring the "blackout that occurred in the same place as the last act of sabotage."

He ordered the armed forces on to maximum alert to prevent attacks that he said were being planned by his opponents.

In recent days, the president has warned his opponents might sabotage the electrical grid to gain advantage in mayoral elections.

"These sectors of fascism are getting desperate, because they know a defeat is coming," Mr Maduro said.