In a move that has deepened the already strained relationship between Venezuela and the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), President Nicolas Maduro announced a 10-day suspension of the platform within the country. The decision, which has sparked widespread controversy, follows Maduro’s escalating conflict with X’s owner, Elon Musk, and comes on the heels of a highly disputed presidential election.
Government Action Against Social Media
On Thursday, President Maduro revealed that he had signed a resolution proposed by Venezuela’s telecommunications regulator, Conatel, to take X out of circulation for 10 days. During a televised speech, he accused Elon Musk of using the platform to incite violence, civil unrest, and even death within the country. “X, get out of Venezuela for 10 days!” Maduro proclaimed, underscoring the government’s firm stance against the social media giant.
This move marks another significant confrontation between Maduro and Musk, who have frequently exchanged sharp criticisms. Musk has previously likened the Venezuelan president to a donkey, while Maduro has held Musk responsible for fueling protests and dissent in the aftermath of the controversial election.
Escalating Tensions in Venezuela
The temporary ban on X is part of a broader effort by Maduro to curtail the influence of Big Tech in Venezuela. Earlier this week, the president urged his supporters to abandon Meta-owned WhatsApp in favor of messaging alternatives like Telegram or WeChat. Maduro claimed that WhatsApp was being used to intimidate the families of military and police personnel, a charge that WhatsApp declined to comment on.
In contrast, X has not yet responded to the Venezuelan government’s actions or accusations.
Disputed Election Results
The controversy surrounding Venezuela’s July 28 presidential election has further fueled the government’s actions. The country’s electoral authority declared Maduro the victor with approximately 51% of the vote. However, this result has been met with widespread skepticism and allegations of fraud. Social media platforms, including X, have played a crucial role in amplifying these accusations and organizing protests.
According to the Venezuelan Observatory for Social Conflict, at least 23 people have died during protests since the election results were announced. Demonstrations have erupted across the country and among Venezuelan communities abroad, with many calling for Maduro to step down and honor what they believe was a legitimate win by opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez.
The opposition, led by Maria Corina Machado and Gonzalez, claims to possess voting tallies proving they won the election with over 7 million votes, compared to Maduro’s 3.3 million. These figures align with predictions from independent exit polls, further casting doubt on the official results.
International Response and Crackdown
Several countries, including the United States, Argentina, and Chile, have refused to recognize Maduro’s victory, urging transparency and the release of the actual voting tallies. In contrast, allies like China and Russia have extended their congratulations to Maduro.
In response to the growing unrest, Venezuelan security forces have launched a crackdown, claiming to target violent criminals. However, advocacy groups argue that many of those arrested are peaceful protesters who are being unjustly repressed.
“The voices of Venezuelan voters will not be silenced by repression, censorship, or disinformation. The world is watching,” stated Brian A. Nichols, the U.S. Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs, in a post on X.
Meanwhile, the foreign ministers of Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil have collectively called on Venezuela’s electoral authority to publish the vote tallies, echoing demands for greater transparency.
As Venezuela’s government tightens its grip on information and communication channels, the international community continues to watch the situation unfold with concern. The temporary ban on X, along with the broader crackdown on dissent, reflects the deepening crisis in Venezuela. Whether this will lead to further isolation of the Maduro regime or prompt negotiations with the opposition remains to be seen.
