Venezuela’s Access to Social Network X Restored After Over a Year
The social network X is once again accessible in Venezuela, more than a year after users were blocked by former president Nicolas Maduro. This development comes after Maduro was captured by US forces last week. Interim president Delcy Rodriguez, who served as vice president under Maduro, has updated her bio on the platform, calling for unity and economic stability.
The social media network, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, had been a prominent platform for Venezuelans before it was shut down by Maduro in retaliation for criticism of his contested 2024 election. The blockade had resulted in ministers, lawmakers, and government institutions stopping updates on their pages. Access to the platform had been spotty until its recent restoration.
Maduro was declared the winner of the 2024 election amid allegations of fraud, leading to the suspension of X in August of that year. The former president’s capture by US military forces on January 3, along with his wife, has led to a significant development in the country’s political landscape. The couple faces US charges of alleged drug trafficking, with official figures reporting over 100 deaths during the attacks.
Rodriguez has assumed power following Maduro’s capture and has called for unity, economic stability, and social justice. The update on her X bio reflects the interim president’s aspirations for the country’s future. Additionally, Maduro’s X account has been updated with a photo of the deposed leader and his wife, Cilia Flores, with a post reading “We want you back.”
The restoration of access to X in Venezuela marks a significant development in the country’s social media landscape. The platform’s reopening may facilitate communication and information exchange among Venezuelans, who had been denied access to the network for over a year. As the country navigates its current political situation, the role of social media in shaping public discourse and promoting unity will be closely watched.
