Elon Musk Announces One-Month Free Starlink Internet for Venezuela Amid Crisis

Jan 2026 : Tesla and SpaceX chief Elon Musk on Sunday announced that his satellite-based internet service, Starlink, will provide free broadband access to people in Venezuela for one month, aiming to ensure uninterrupted connectivity amid the country’s ongoing political and security crisis.

The announcement was made by Musk on social media platform X, where he said the initiative was launched “in support of the people of Venezuela.” According to the post, Starlink will offer free broadband services across the country until February 3, allowing residents continued access to communication and information during a period of uncertainty.

“Starlink is providing free broadband service to the people of Venezuela through February 3, ensuring continued connectivity,” the company said in a statement shared online. Starlink operates through a vast constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites, enabling internet access even in regions where traditional infrastructure is weak, disrupted or unavailable.

The move comes at a critical time for Venezuela, which has been witnessing rapid political developments and heightened instability. Reliable internet access is seen as crucial for civilians, journalists and emergency services, particularly as conventional networks face disruptions during crises.

Musk’s announcement followed his public reaction to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a US military operation reportedly sanctioned by US President Donald Trump. Welcoming the development, Musk said Venezuela could finally move toward prosperity now that Maduro was no longer in power. Writing in Spanish, he stated that the country could now achieve the prosperity it truly deserves.

Musk’s comments were consistent with his long-standing criticism of the Maduro government. Over the years, the billionaire entrepreneur has repeatedly blamed Venezuela’s economic collapse on government policies, arguing that excessive state control and mismanagement had devastated an otherwise resource-rich nation.

During Venezuela’s 2024 elections, Musk openly supported the opposition and called for political change. He strongly backed opposition leader María Corina Machado, who later went on to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2025. Musk has frequently said that Venezuela would greatly benefit from leadership that allows the country to responsibly develop and utilise its vast natural resources.

In an April 2024 post, Musk noted that Venezuela is rich in oil and other resources and could have been extremely prosperous if previous governments had not expanded state control to what he described as “extreme socialism.” He later reiterated his support for the opposition, stating that Venezuelans deserved an opportunity for a better and more stable future.

Throughout 2024, Musk continued to target Maduro with sharp criticism, often using strong language against the Venezuelan leader. His decision to extend free Starlink services is being viewed as both a humanitarian gesture and a strategic effort to support connectivity and information flow during a critical phase in Venezuela’s political transition.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)