Starlink offers free internet access to Venezuela after Maduro raid

SpaceX Star link is offering its Venezuelan customers free access to its Internet service after the capture of the country’s president, Nicolas Maduro, by the United States. According to CNBCsome areas of Caracas and other parts of the country lost electricity and internet connectivity as a result of the operation.

Starlink says its goal is “to enable connectivity to new and existing customers in order to support the population of Venezuela.” At the time of writing, Starlink does not yet appear to be officially operating in the country, as its availability card states that service there is “coming soon.”

Nonetheless, Starlink says it is proactively applying service credits to active accounts in Venezuela until February 3. Those who have suspended or canceled their service but still have the necessary Starlink hardware can also reactivate their account at no additional cost at this time.

Of course, those who do not have a Starlink terminal will not be able to take advantage of this offer at the moment. “We are actively monitoring evolving conditions and regulatory requirements,” Starlink said in a statement. support page. “Even though we have not yet [sic] a timeline for local purchase availability, if and when there are updates they will be communicated directly through official Starlink channels and reflected on this page. SpaceX previously committed to offer a free service in Ukraine after Russia invades the country in 2022.

US forces carried out airstrikes and a ground operation on Saturday to capture Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The United States has indicted the two men and others on multiple charges, including narcoterrorism conspiracy and cocaine importation conspiracy. Supreme Court of Venezuela ordered the appointment of Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as interim president in Maduro’s absence.

According to the War DepartmentUS President Donald Trump said his administration would “oversee Venezuela until a safe transition to a legitimate replacement” takes place. Trump also established plans for American companies to exploit the South American country’s oil reserves.