Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has voiced public support for the people of Venezuela as Starlink, operated by SpaceX, announced it would provide free broadband internet access across the country for a limited period amid dramatic political changes.
In a post on X on Sunday, Musk wrote, “In support of the people of Venezuela,” while sharing Starlink’s official announcement. The company said it would offer free broadband service through February 3, aiming to maintain connectivity during a period of political uncertainty.
In support of the people of Venezuela 🇻🇪 https://t.co/JKxOFWsikP
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 4, 2026
The announcement followed a stunning development in Caracas, where the United States confirmed the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Footage released by US authorities showed Maduro in handcuffs during a staged perp walk, where he appeared calm and briefly addressed reporters and US Drug Enforcement Administration agents before being taken into custody.
The sudden removal of Maduro created an immediate leadership vacuum in Venezuela. Within hours, the country’s Supreme Court issued an emergency ruling assigning interim authority to Vice President Delcy Rodríguez.
Reading the decision on state television channel VTV, Supreme Court Justice Tania D’Amelio said Maduro was in a “material and temporary impossibility to exercise his functions.” The court ordered Rodríguez to assume all presidential powers to ensure administrative continuity and what it described as the comprehensive defense of the state.
The ruling cited provisions in Venezuela’s constitution that require the vice president to take over executive authority in the event of a president’s temporary or absolute absence.
Musk reacted positively to Maduro’s arrest earlier, posting in Spanish: “Venezuela ahora puede tener la prosperidad que merece” (“Venezuela can now have the prosperity it deserves”). His comments quickly gained traction online, especially among Venezuelans who have long struggled with internet restrictions, censorship, and infrastructure breakdowns.
Reliable internet access has been a persistent challenge in Venezuela, where outages and state control have limited digital communication. Starlink’s temporary intervention is expected to help citizens stay connected to news, emergency services, and family abroad during the transition period.
