Fiona Nanna, ForeMedia News

4 minutes read. Updated 12:42PM GMT Sat, 10August, 2024

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has announced a 10-day suspension of the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. This decision follows a contentious public feud with Elon Musk, the platform’s owner, regarding the legitimacy of the recent Venezuelan presidential election.

On Thursday, Maduro confirmed that he has signed an agreement with Venezuela’s National Telecommunications Commission (Conatel) to block X across the country. The Venezuelan leader accused Musk of violating platform rules by inciting “hatred, fascism, and civil war” through his statements about the contested election.

CNN has reached out to X for a response, but has yet to receive a comment.

The controversy between Maduro and Musk intensified following accusations from both sides over the outcome of the Venezuelan election. Maduro, who claimed victory, has faced widespread international criticism and allegations of electoral fraud. The United States and several Western nations have denounced the election results, asserting that Maduro lost to his opponent, Edmundo González Urrutia.

Musk has been vocal on X, labeling Maduro as “not a good guy” and accusing him of significant election fraud. In retaliation, Maduro has accused Musk of conspiring against Venezuela.

Adding to the unrest, Maduro has also criticized WhatsApp, a platform owned by Meta, and has encouraged Venezuelans to stop using the app. This move reflects broader frustrations within Maduro’s government regarding foreign tech companies and their influence on Venezuelan politics.

The U.S. government, in a statement last week, declared that the evidence clearly shows González Urrutia as the legitimate winner of the July 28 election. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the overwhelming evidence of Maduro’s loss and the dangers posed by the current regime.

In response, Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Yvan Gil dismissed the U.S. statement as a “ridiculous” attempt to instigate a coup. Protests have erupted across the nation following the announcement by Venezuela’s pro-regime electoral body, which declared Maduro the victor with 51% of the vote.

This election has been heralded as the most critical in recent years, with dire consequences for Venezuela’s faltering democracy and struggling economy. The opposition, galvanized and unified under González, had been polling strongly before the vote, marking a significant challenge to Maduro’s longstanding rule.

For ongoing coverage and updates on the situation in Venezuela, visit CNN and BBC.

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  • Impact of Social Media Censorship on Political Discourse