Officials blame rebels for Paraguay power outage affecting thousands

Associated Press

Paraguayan officials are blaming rebels for a power outage that is affecting some 750,000 people in the country's north.

Maj. Alfredo Ramirez is a spokesman for the anti-terrorist unit. He says authorities suspect rebels used explosives to attack a transmission tower, but they're still investigating.

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The tower is located near a Mennonite colony about 180 miles (290 kilometers) north of the Paraguayan capital.

Technicians with the state power company are working to restore service. Power was affected in the northern states of San Pedro, Concepcion, Amambay and Alto Paraguay.

Anti-terrorist agents say they found a pamphlet near the downed tower for The Paraguayan People's Army, but they're trying to confirm its authenticity. The small rebel guerrilla group been accused of killings, kidnappings, robberies and attacks on police.