After more than a year of blockade, Venezuela regained access to the social network X this Tuesday (13). Access was initially reestablished for users of the operator Digitel, while customers of other companies, such as Movistar and the state-owned Cantv, still registered partial operation of the platform, according to the news agency AFP.
The release of the network occurs in a political context different from that which led to the suspension of the service. The blockade had been ordered in August 2024 by then-president Nicolás Maduro, after his re-election was questioned, on the accusation that the platform promoted disinformation, incitement to hatred and was part of an alleged “cyber coup d’état” against the regime.
With the resumption of access, Chavismo leaders once again publicly used the network. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez published her first message since September 2024, stating that the government would resume communication via digital channel and defending national unity, economic stability and social justice. Rodríguez took charge of the country after the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, by US forces in early January.
“We are resuming contact through this channel. Venezuela remains standing, with strength and historical awareness. Let us remain united, advancing towards economic tranquility, social justice and the welfare state that we deserve to find”, stated Rodríguez in his 1st publication since September 2024.
The Minister of the Interior, Diosdado Cabello, also announced the return to publications on X, in a message addressed to supporters inside and outside the country.
“Passing by to send a big hug to our brothers and sisters in Venezuela and around the world who have been following the situation in our country. We will communicate again through this channel, stay tuned. We will win!!”, said Cabello.
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Maduro’s account was reactivated on the same day, with a post that mentioned the days that had passed since his arrest.
The unblocking of the platform signals a change in the group in power’s communication strategy, after a period of strong restrictions on access to social networks and the internet. The total blockade had been used as an instrument to contain protests and limit the circulation of information during the 2024 political crisis.
Despite the partial release, access to X is still not uniform throughout Venezuelan territory. Complete normalization depends on technical adjustments by operators and additional decisions by the interim government.
