Starlink Provides Free Internet in Venezuela Until Feb 3
Billionaire Elon Musk on Sunday voiced his support for the people of Venezuela as SpaceX-owned Starlink revealed it would be offering free broadband internet services in the country for a limited time, amid rapidly evolving political circumstances in Venezuela. Musk shared a post on X stating, “In support of the people of Venezuela,” as he re-posted a message from Starlink detailing the initiative. In the reposted message, Starlink stated, “Starlink is providing free broadband service to the people of Venezuela through February 3, ensuring continued connectivity.” The announcement came amid dramatic scenes surrounding the ousting of deposed Dictator Nicolas Maduro by the United States. Footage made public by US authorities depicted the detained Venezuelan leader in handcuffs during a carefully orchestrated perp walk.
In the footage, Maduro was observed extending New Year and Good Night wishes to reporters and Drug Enforcement Administration agents as he was taken into custody. In light of recent events, Venezuela’s Supreme Court has taken steps to fill the leadership void, directing Vice President Delcy Rodriguez to take on the responsibilities and functions of acting president following the removal of Nicolas Maduro by the US, as reported. The order, announced late Saturday local time, stated that Maduro is in a “material and temporary impossibility to exercise his functions.” Justice Tania D’Amelio read the ruling stating that Rodriguez will “assume and exercise, as acting president, all the powers, duties, and faculties inherent to the office of president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in order to guarantee administrative continuity and the comprehensive defense of the nation,” as reported.
The court referenced Venezuela’s constitution, which asserts that in the event of a temporary or absolute absence of the president, the individual occupying the vice presidency is required to assume the role. Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton offered additional insights into the situation. In an interview, Bolton stated that a strategy to oust Maduro was brought to US President Donald Trump during his initial term, but it did not progress as administration officials struggled to maintain the president’s “focus” on the matter. Bolton informed that Trump had a “very interested” stance on “the Venezuelan oil” during his initial term, and although his team succeeded in piquing Trump’s interest in the notion of ousting Maduro, they “couldn’t keep him focused on it.”
He stated that the opposition in Venezuela at that time believed economic pressure would be adequate to fracture Maduro’s regime. As reported, the United States subsequently initiated what Trump characterized as a “large scale strike against Venezuela” and apprehended Maduro to confront charges, executing the regime change initiative without Congressional approval.
