Starlink said on Sunday it was offering free high-speed internet access service in Venezuela until Feb. 3, citing efforts to maintain connectivity after U.S. forces arrested President Nicolas Maduro in a military operation.
The satellite internet provider announced the move in a post on X that was also shared by the company’s owner. Elon Muskwhich has increasingly positioned Starlink as a communications lifeline during crises.
“In support of the Venezuelan people,” Elon Musk wrote.
The announcement comes a day after U.S. forces carried out a military operation in Venezuela that resulted in Maduro’s arrest, according to U.S. officials, marking a dramatic escalation of tensions involving the longtime Venezuelan leader.
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Maduro was flown Saturday to New York, where he faces multiple federal charges, including narcoterrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy and weapons offenses, authorities said. His wife, Cilia Flores, was also taken into custody and faces similar charges.
U.S. authorities have accused Maduro and senior members of his government of using drug trafficking and violence to destabilize the region and undermine democratic institutions, allegations detailed in the federal indictments.
Starlink, a satellite Internet network operated by Musk’s SpaceXis increasingly deployed during emergencies and conflicts, providing connectivity in areas where traditional infrastructure has been damaged, restricted or closed.
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Starlink announced free broadband service in Venezuela until Feb. 3 after U.S. forces arrested President Nicolas Maduro in a military operation, expanding its crisis response role. (SpaceX/Fox News)
In recent years, Musk has donated Starlink terminals to communities in California after devastating wildfires destroyed internet and cell phone service, leaving residents unable to communicate with emergency responders or loved ones.
It also delivered Starlink hardware to parts of western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene in September 2024 left thousands without power or internet for days.
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Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla and owner of Twitter, attends the Viva Technology conference dedicated to innovation and startups at the Porte de Versailles exhibition center in Paris, France, June 16, 2023. (Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters/Reuters Photos)
Beyond natural disasters, Starlink has played a leading role in international conflicts.
The satellite network has been widely used in Ukraine from Russia in February 2022, helping to maintain communications between civilians, government agencies and military units amid considerable damage to infrastructure.
Musk has previously described Starlink as “the backbone of the Ukrainian military,” highlighting the growing influence of private technology companies in modern conflicts and geopolitical crises.
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It remains unclear whether Starlink will extend free service in Venezuela beyond February 3 or how long internet access inside the country might be affected as the political situation continues to develop.
