Washington [US]: Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk on Sunday voiced support for the people of Venezuela as SpaceX-owned Starlink announced free broadband internet access in the country for a limited period, against the backdrop of rapidly unfolding political developments.
Musk shared the announcement on social media platform X, stating his support for Venezuelans while reposting a message from Starlink. The satellite internet provider said it would offer free broadband services across Venezuela until February 3 to ensure uninterrupted connectivity during the ongoing crisis.
The move came amid dramatic developments surrounding former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, who was removed from power by the United States. Videos released by US authorities showed Maduro in handcuffs during a staged transfer into custody. In the footage, he was seen exchanging New Year greetings with reporters and officials from the US Drug Enforcement Administration as he was escorted away.
Following Maduro’s removal, Venezuela’s Supreme Court stepped in to address the leadership vacuum. The court ordered Vice President Delcy Rodriguez to take over as acting president, citing Maduro’s inability to carry out his constitutional duties. The ruling, announced late Saturday and broadcast on state television, said Maduro was facing a “material and temporary impossibility” to exercise the functions of his office.
Justice Tania D’Amelio, reading out the order, said Rodriguez would assume all presidential powers to ensure continuity of governance and safeguard national interests. The court referred to constitutional provisions that mandate the vice president to step in when the presidency falls vacant temporarily or permanently.
Meanwhile, former US National Security Advisor John Bolton shed light on the background of the operation in an interview with CNN. Bolton said a plan to remove Maduro had been discussed during Donald Trump’s first term as US president, but it failed to gain momentum due to a lack of sustained focus within the administration. He added that Trump was particularly interested in Venezuela’s oil resources and that earlier efforts relied heavily on economic pressure to fracture Maduro’s regime.
According to CNN, the United States later carried out a large-scale operation that resulted in Maduro’s capture and removal, a move described by Trump as decisive action against the Venezuelan leadership, undertaken without congressional approval.
As Venezuela navigates a period of uncertainty, Starlink’s decision to provide free internet access has been seen as a critical step in maintaining communication and access to information for its citizens.
