Nicolás Maduro announced yesterday in Venezuela, before the national and international media, that he decided to “remove from circulation” in the country for 10 days the social network X, run by the South African tycoon Elon Musk.
Given this situation, Carlos Correa, executive director of the non-governmental organization Public Spacestated in an interview with ACI Prensa that “silence X does not silence the voices of people who wish to express themselves freely.”
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On August 8, Maduro – proclaimed winner of the presidential elections held on July 28, under numerous accusations of fraud – expressed that Musk and his social network “have violated all the rules” of his own social network and all the laws of the country. , “inciting hatred, fascism, civil war, death and confrontation between Venezuelans.”
“That is why I have signed a point of account with the proposal made by CONATEL, the National Telecommunications Commission, who has decided to remove the social network collections”, the leader of Chavismo shouted from the Miraflores Palaceseat of government.
“Get out of Venezuela for 10 days!” he declared.
Immediately afterwards, the various internet providers in Venezuela began to block access to the platform, which is widely popular in the country, due to the restrictions that Chavismo has imposed on traditional media for decades.
Correa indicated that although X is not the social network with the greatest reach among Venezuelans, behind Facebook and Instagram, it is the platform where the most relevant information about the situation in the country circulates. “It is true that the ordered restrictions make access to information more complex, but with a VPN (virtual private network) it can be used without problem,” he said.
In that sense, he warned that the biggest problem with government censorship is that it will affect “less expert users,” who do not know how to use these tools that allow them to bypass blocks. “This considerably reduces the reach of the network and violates the right to the free dissemination of information and ideas,” she added.
For this reason, Correa highlighted the importance of solidarity among citizens, to guarantee that everyone can overcome restrictions and access information content.
“Smoke signals will be used, or other mechanisms will be used, but this will not silence the voices that are in some way denouncing what is happening in Venezuela,” said the executive director of Espacio Público, dedicated to independently defending human rights. human rights in Venezuela, especially freedom of expression.
Likewise, he specified that there is “an incompatibility” between the political model proposed and promoted by Chavismo and the fundamental right to freedom of expression. “There has been a very repressive policy in the context of the elections,” Correa added.
According to the journalist and university professor, the new wave of persecution unleashed by the Venezuelan regime, through its security and intelligence agencies, has already left 4 communication professionals detained for doing their work, who are part of the gang. 2,000 arrests of protesters, according to Proveaand who have been sent to regular prisons facing charges of “terrorism” and “incitement to hatred.”
Despite the abuses and repression, Correa vindicated the work of Espacio Público and so many other organizations that are daily in charge of accompanying people whose rights are violated by those who control power in Venezuela.
“One of the characteristics that we have observed about Venezuelan society is that, despite all the restrictions, people have been looking for mechanisms to respond to censorship and to remain informed,” the activist highlighted.
For this reason, he considers that the recent restriction of digital platforms in Venezuela will be overcome, once again, by citizens.
The bishops of Venezuela have already denounced the abuses
Over the last few days, after the presidential elections, and as a result of the violence unleashed in the streets, which has already left at least 24 people dead, the Venezuelan Episcopate has denounced the abuses committed by the State against the population and has assured that “ignoring the popular will is illegal and ethically unacceptable.”
Regarding the censorship imposed by the Chavista regime, the bishops have not hesitated to categorically reject, “as contrary to human rights,” all abuses, especially “the restrictions on freedom of expression and mobilization” and the constant unrest experienced by the citizens “for defending their convictions and political positions.
In addition, they pointed out that all powers and institutions of the State, including CONATEL—the country’s telecommunications regulator—“are called upon to comply with and enforce the Constitution and the laws of the Republic.”
Andres Henriquez
I have been a writer for ACI Prensa and a correspondent for EWTN since 2023. Since then, I have covered events in the Catholic Church in Venezuela and Latin America. I have more than 5 years of experience in bilingual media. Additionally, in Venezuela I have worked with non-governmental organizations in favor of freedom and respect for human rights in the country. I have been a member of the Regnum Christi Federation since 2014.