Starlink Provides Free Internet Access in Venezuela Following Maduro’s Arrest

President Donald Trump addressed the nation about the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.

Starlink announced on Sunday that it is providing free broadband internet service in Venezuela until February 3. This initiative aims to maintain connectivity following the U.S. military operation that led to the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro.

The satellite internet provider made this announcement via a post on X, which was also shared by its owner, Elon Musk. Musk has increasingly positioned Starlink as a vital communications lifeline during crises. “In support of the people of Venezuela,” he stated.

This announcement came just a day after U.S. forces conducted a military operation in Venezuela, resulting in Maduro’s arrest. U.S. officials described this as a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions surrounding the long-time Venezuelan leader.

ELON MUSK ANNOUNCES SPACEX WILL PROVIDE FREE STARLINK TERMINALS IN LA AMID RAGING FIRES

Maduro was subsequently transported to New York, where he faces multiple federal charges, including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and various weapons-related offenses. His wife, Cilia Flores, was also taken into custody and faces similar charges.

U.S. authorities have accused Maduro and senior officials in his government of employing drug trafficking and violence to destabilize the region and undermine democratic institutions, as detailed in federal indictments.

Starlink, operated by Musk’s SpaceX, has increasingly been deployed during emergencies and conflicts. It provides connectivity in areas where traditional infrastructure has been damaged, restricted, or shut down.

MUSK ACCELERATES STARLINK FOR HURRICANE MILTON VICTIMS, FREE OF CHARGE ‘FOR THOSE IN NEED’

Starlink announced free broadband service in Venezuela through Feb. 3 after U.S. forces arrested President Nicolás Maduro during 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 disrupted internet and cellphone services, leaving residents unable to communicate with emergency responders or loved ones. He also provided Starlink equipment to parts of western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene in September 2024, which left thousands without power or internet for days.

ELON MUSK DEFENDS LIMITATIONS ON UKRAINE’S MILITARY USE OF STARLINK SATELLITES

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 centre in Paris, France, June 16, 2023. (Gonzalo Fuentes/REUTERS / Reuters Photos)

Beyond natural disasters, Starlink has also played a significant role in international conflicts. The satellite network has been extensively used in Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, helping to maintain communications for civilians, government agencies, and military units amid widespread infrastructure damage.

Musk has previously referred to Starlink as “the backbone of the Ukrainian army,” highlighting the growing influence of private technology companies in modern conflicts and geopolitical crises.