Venezuela leader in sabotage claim

Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro claims government opponents are planning to sabotage the country's power grid and interrupt food distribution ahead of the April 14 presidential election.

Mr Maduro's comments come amid growing concerns about sporadic shortages of some basic foods and occasional power outages in several regions of Venezuela.

Government foes have rejected similar allegations about planned sabotage in the past.

Opposition politicians argue that the government is to blame for shortages because it has not allotted sufficient US dollars to businesses that import food.

They also say the government is responsible for the blackouts because it has not made investments required to maintain the power grid.

Mr Maduro made the allegations during a televised speech. He did not provide details of the alleged plans.