The World : Blasts Cut Nicaragua Power

Nicaraguan rebels caused a country-wide blackout by blowing up two electrical towers that transmit electricity from a hydroelectric plant in Lake Apanas to a substation 70 miles north of Managua, Nicaragua’s Energy Institute said. It reported that the attack by the U.S.-backed contras also cut off power from Honduras, which sells electricity to Nicaragua. Power in Managua was restored about two hours later, but some isolated communities may be without electricity for up to two days, officials said. Luis Carrion, vice minister of the interior, said the contras have begun a sabotage campaign with teams of as few as two men, attacking power stations using information provided by the CIA.