Home Elon Musk’s X is banned for 10 days in Venezuela

Elon Musk’s X is banned for 10 days in Venezuela

TLDR

  • Venezuela imposes a 10-day ban on Elon Musk's social platform after a clash with President Maduro.
  • Maduro accused Musk of inciting violence post-election, while Musk criticized Maduro on X.
  • Venezuelans trying to access X are met with a message stating the site cannot be accessed.

People in Venezuela are currently unable to access the social media platform run by technology tycoon Elon Musk as the president signs a 10-day ban.

This follows a public spat and has come after President Nicolas Maduro was declared the winner at the election last month.

Previously, the X CEO has compared the Venezuelan president to a donkey, while Maduro has accused Musk of being a driving force behind protests and dissent in the 12 days following his win.

“X out for #10Dias from Venezuela! In our country there is a Constitution, Law, Institutions and State.

“10 days to present your documents. Let the plans on social networks to spread violence, hatred and attack #Venezuela from abroad end. #PuebloVenezolano deserves respect,” Maduro said in a speech which was broadcast on state television.

Now, when people in Venezuela try to get onto X they are met with a broken web image which states ‘This site cannot be accessed.’

Elon Musk and Nicolas Maduro clash on social media

Just a day after the election, Elon Musk took to his platform writing “Adios Dictatora Maduro.” He has since shared other videos showing crowds of the opposition gathering in the country.

On the same day, Maduro said in a public appearance that Musk is the “archenemy of the peace of Venezuela.”

The president became the winner of the July 28 presidential election after securing 51% of the vote ahead of rival Edmundo González Urrutia.

Since the election, some people have accused Maduro of rigging the vote which has caused people from around the world (including Mr Musk) to weigh in on X.

The president has faced intense pressure to release the voting tallies, as the opposition has said they’ve seen 80% of paper ballots and, based on that tally, believe González won around 60% of the vote.

As a result, there has been a significant civic response to the allegations as people have taken to the street to campaign for what they believe to be true.

Featured Image: Via Ideogram

About ReadWrite’s Editorial Process

The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the tech, gambling and blockchain industries for major developments, new product and brand launches, AI breakthroughs, game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to in-house staff writers with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.

Sophie Atkinson
Tech Journalist

Sophie Atkinson is a UK-based journalist and content writer, as well as a founder of a content agency which focuses on storytelling through social media marketing. She kicked off her career with a Print Futures Award which champions young talent working in print, paper and publishing. Heading straight into a regional newsroom, after graduating with a BA (Hons) degree in Journalism, Sophie started by working for Reach PLC. Now, with five years experience in journalism and many more in content marketing, Sophie works as a freelance writer and marketer. Her areas of specialty span a wide range, including technology, business,…

Get the biggest tech headlines of the day delivered to your inbox

    By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime.

    Tech News

    Explore the latest in tech with our Tech News. We cut through the noise for concise, relevant updates, keeping you informed about the rapidly evolving tech landscape with curated content that separates signal from noise.

    In-Depth Tech Stories

    Explore tech impact in In-Depth Stories. Narrative data journalism offers comprehensive analyses, revealing stories behind data. Understand industry trends for a deeper perspective on tech's intricate relationships with society.

    Expert Reviews

    Empower decisions with Expert Reviews, merging industry expertise and insightful analysis. Delve into tech intricacies, get the best deals, and stay ahead with our trustworthy guide to navigating the ever-changing tech market.