Musk Backs Venezuelans as Starlink Goes Free During Sudden Power Shift

Elon Musk announced temporary free Starlink internet for Venezuela amid political upheaval, leadership shifts, and US attention on Nicolás Maduro.

As SpaceX-owned Starlink announced on Sunday that it would be offering free broadband internet services in Venezuela for a limited time, Elon Musk voiced support for the country's citizens as the country continues to be involved in rapidly evolving political events.

"In support of the people of Venezuela," Musk wrote in a post on X, sharing a letter from Starlink detailing the project. Starlink stated in the statement that was reposted, Starlink is providing free broadband service to the individuals of Venezuela over February three, ensuring continued connectivity.

The announcement was made in the midst of dramatic situations involving Nicolas Maduro, the tyrant who had been overthrown by the United States. The detained Venezuelan leader was seen in handcuffs during a rehearsed prep walk in a video made public by US authorities. As he was taken into custody, Maduro was seen in the video wishing reporters and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents a Happy New Year and Good Night.

In the midst of these events, Venezuela's Supreme Court took action to fill the leadership void, directing Vice President Delcy Rodriguez to take over as acting president following Nicolas Maduro's removal by the US.  Maduro is in a "material and temporary impossibility to exercise his functions," according to the order, which was made public late on Saturday local time.

The court cited Venezuela's constitution, which states that the vice president must take over in the event of the president's temporary or permanent absence. Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton gave some context for the incident. In an interview with a news media company, Bolton claimed that US President Donald Trump had been presented with a plan to oust Maduro during his first term, but it had not progressed because administration officials were unable to keep the president "focused" on the matter.