Elon Musk’s BIG move after Trump captures Maduro, announces this service free, it is…
Elon Musk announced free broadband internet for Venezuela amid political unrest, via SpaceX’s Starlink. This came as Nicolás Maduro was captured by US forces and Vice President Delcy Rodríguez assumed interim leadership. The move ensures continued connectivity during Venezuela’s crisis.
Billionaire Elon Musk announced his support for the people of Venezuela on Sunday after Starlink, owned by SpaceX, announced it would provide free broadband internet to the country for a limited time. The decision comes amid rapidly changing political events following the impeachment of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro by the United States.
Musk shared his support in a post on X, writing, “We support the people of Venezuela,” while reposting a message from Starlink. The initiative, which aims to ensure continuous connectivity during a period of turmoil, will last until February 3, 2026.
Support for the people of Venezuela https://t.co/JKxOFWsikP
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 4, 2026
The Starlink message stated, “Starlink ensures the continuation of the connection by providing free broadband service to the Venezuelan people until February 3.”
Political Chaos in Venezuela
Musk and Starlink’s announcement coincided with dramatic developments in Venezuela’s political environment. The country’s longtime leader, Nicolás Maduro, was captured by US forces in an undercover operation as part of a broader effort to dismantle his government. Footage released by US authorities shows Maduro being handcuffed during a ‘criminal parade’ in which he wishes reporters and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents a ‘Happy New Year’ before being taken into custody.
In response to Maduro’s impeachment, the Supreme Court of Venezuela intervened and declared Vice President Delcy Rodríguez acting president. In the court’s decision, announced late on Saturday, it was stated that Maduro would not be able to fulfill his duties, which he defined as ‘material and temporary impossibility’.
Rodríguez will now assume the powers of the presidency to maintain administrative continuity and defend the nation. The decision was based on the Venezuelan constitution, which provides for the vice president to step in when the president is absent or unable to perform his duties.
Background and US Involvement
The United States’ role in the political uprising in Venezuela has been a long-standing one. Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton announced that efforts to remove Maduro were discussed during Donald Trump’s first term but did not attract attention. Bolton stated that Trump is particularly focused on Venezuela’s oil reserves, which he sees as vital to US interests.
Despite initial setbacks, the Trump administration later stepped up its efforts and eventually launched a large-scale military operation to capture Maduro, who now faces criminal charges in the United States. However, this regime change effort was carried out without Congressional approval, further raising concerns about the legality of US intervention in the region.
Starlink’s Role in Supporting Connectivity
As Venezuela deals with the fallout from Maduro’s impeachment, Starlink’s initiative to provide free internet access will help keep Venezuelans connected at a time of significant uncertainty. As internet services in the country are already struggling, Starlink’s broadband service is expected to provide significant access to information and communications in the coming weeks.
