Elon Musk, Starlink provide free internet to Venezuela amid political upheaval

Elon Musk, Starlink provide free internet to Venezuela amid political upheaval

Billionaire Elon Musk on Sunday voiced support for the people of Venezuela as SpaceX-owned Starlink announced it would provide free broadband internet services in the country for a limited period, amid rapidly unfolding political developments.

In a post on X, Musk wrote, "In support of the people of Venezuela," while sharing a message from Starlink announcing the initiative. The company said it is "providing free broadband service to the people of Venezuela through February 3, ensuring continued connectivity."

In support of the people of Venezuela 🇻🇪 https://t.co/JKxOFWsikP

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 4, 2026

The announcement came following the removal of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro by the United States. Video released by US authorities showed Maduro in handcuffs during a staged perp walk, wishing reporters and DEA agents a Happy New Year and Good Night as he was taken into custody.

Amid the political upheaval, Venezuela’s Supreme Court moved to address the leadership vacuum, ordering Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to assume the powers and duties of acting president. The ruling, read by Justice Tania D’Amelio on state television channel VTV, said Maduro was in a “material and temporary impossibility to exercise his functions.” Rodríguez 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,” according to the court.

The court cited Venezuela’s constitution, which mandates that the vice president assume presidential duties in the event of a temporary or absolute absence of the president.

Earlier, Musk had celebrated Maduro’s capture, writing in Spanish, "Venezuela ahora puede tener la prosperidad que merece."

Providing context on the US operation, former National Security Advisor John Bolton told CNN that a plan to remove Maduro had been presented to US President Donald Trump during his first term but had failed to progress because officials were unable to keep the president “focused” on the issue.