Elon Musk offer free internet to Venezuela amid political turmoil: Report

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has voiced support for the people of Venezuela as SpaceX-owned Starlink announced it will provide free broadband internet services in the country for a limited period amid fast-moving political developments.

In a post on social media platform X, Musk wrote, “In support of the people of Venezuela,” while sharing Starlink’s announcement that it would offer free internet access through February 3 to ensure continued connectivity during the crisis.

The move comes after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was taken into custody by US forces, marking a dramatic escalation in the country’s political upheaval. Video released by US authorities showed Maduro in handcuffs during a staged perp walk, where he was seen wishing reporters and DEA agents a Happy New Year and Good Night.

Following Maduro’s removal, Venezuela’s Supreme Court moved swiftly to address the leadership vacuum, ordering Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to assume the powers and duties of acting president. Reading the ruling on state television channel VTV, Justice Tania D’Amelio said Maduro was in a “material and temporary impossibility” to carry out his responsibilities.

Under the court’s order, Rodríguez will exercise all presidential powers to ensure administrative continuity and the defense of the nation, citing constitutional provisions that mandate the vice president to step in during a temporary or absolute absence of the president.

Earlier, Musk appeared to celebrate Maduro’s capture, posting in Spanish, “Venezuela ahora puede tener la prosperidad que merece” (Venezuela can now have the prosperity it deserves).

Providing background on the US operation, former National Security Advisor John Bolton told CNN that a plan to remove Maduro had been presented to former US President Donald Trump during his first term, but it failed to advance as officials struggled to keep the president focused on the issue.