President Donald Trump addressed the nation about the US capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.
Starlink said Sunday it is offering free broadband internet in Venezuela through Feb. 3, citing efforts to maintain connectivity after U.S. forces arrested President Nicolás Maduro in a military operation.
The satellite internet provider announced the move in a post on X that was also shared by the business owner Elon Muskwhich has increasingly positioned Starlink as a communications lifeline during crises.
“In support of the people of Venezuela,” wrote Elon Musk.
The announcement came a day after U.S. forces conducted a military operation in Venezuela that U.S. officials said resulted in Maduro’s arrest, marking a dramatic escalation in tensions involving the longtime Venezuelan leader.
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Maduro was transported to New York on Saturday, where he faces multiple federal charges, including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy and weapons-related crimes, 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, charges detailed in federal indictments.
Starlink, a satellite-based internet network operated by Musk’s SpaceX, is increasingly deployed during emergencies and conflicts, providing connectivity in areas where traditional infrastructure is damaged, limited or closed.
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In recent years, Musk donated Starlink terminals to California communities after devastating wildfires knocked out internet and cell phone services, leaving residents unable to communicate with first responders or loved ones.
He also delivered Starlink equipment to parts of Western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene left thousands of people without power or internet for days in September 2024.
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Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla and owner of Twitter, looks on as he 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)
In addition to natural disasters, Starlink has also played a prominent role in international conflicts.
The satellite network has been widely used in Ukraine since the Russian invasion in February 2022, helping maintain communications for civilians, government agencies and military units amid widespread infrastructure damage.
Musk has previously described Starlink as “the backbone of the Ukrainian military,” underscoring the growing influence of private tech 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 in the country could be affected as the political situation continues to unfold.
