Maduro Suspends X in Venezuela for 10 Days, Accusing Musk of Promoting Hatred
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has ordered a 10-day block on access to X (formerly Twitter) in the country, accusing owner Elon Musk of using the platform to promote hatred following Venezuela’s disputed presidential election, AP reports.
Maduro, in a speech following a pro-government rally, claimed that Musk has violated the social network’s own rules by “inciting hatred.” He further accused X of being used by his opponents to foment political unrest.
The president cited a resolution from the National Telecommunications Commission as the basis for the suspension, claiming that X had failed to provide documentation.
The move comes after a public exchange between Maduro and Musk regarding the disputed election held on July 28th. Electoral authorities declared Maduro the winner, but opposition groups claim to have evidence showing their candidate, Edmundo González, as the victor.
Musk, using X, accused Maduro of “great electoral fraud” and denounced him as a “dictator.”
Since the election, Maduro has expressed a desire to “regulate” social media platforms in Venezuela. He specifically alleged that X was being used by his adversaries to threaten the families of his supporters and political allies, as well as military and police personnel, creating a climate of fear and anxiety.
The suspension of X in Venezuela is the latest example of the government’s efforts to control information and suppress dissent.
