Billionaire Elon Musk has announced that SpaceX-owned Starlink will provide free broadband satellite internet services to the people of Venezuela for a limited period. The move comes as the country navigates a period of extreme political volatility following the removal of President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Musk shared Starlink’s initiative with the caption: “In support of the people of Venezuela.”
Key Details of the Initiative
- Free Service Duration: Starlink confirmed that broadband services will be free for all users in Venezuela through February 3, 2026.
- Objective: The company stated the goal is to “ensure continued connectivity” during a time when local infrastructure may be compromised and reliable information is critical.
- Context: Reports of internet outages and power cuts surfaced in Caracas on Saturday during the U.S. military operation. Starlink’s satellite network provides a bypass to traditional ground-based telecommunications that were frequently censored or blocked under the Maduro administration.
Geopolitical Backdrop
The tech mogul’s announcement follows a dramatic weekend where:
- Maduro Captured: President Donald Trump confirmed a large-scale military strike that resulted in the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
- Leadership Vacuum: Venezuela’s Supreme Court has since ordered Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to assume the duties of acting president to maintain administrative continuity.
- U.S. Involvement: Trump has stated that Washington will play an active role in the country’s “safe and judicious transition.”
Musk, a long-time critic of the Maduro government, welcomed the developments, posting that it was “heartwarming to see so many Venezuelans celebrating their country freed from a brutal tyrant.”