Starlink Offers Free Internet in Venezuela After U.S. Airstrikes and Maduro’s Arrest

Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX, said it is extending free broadband service to users in Venezuela through Feb. 3, adding service credits to both active and inactive accounts as conditions evolve. The company noted it does not yet have a timeline for local purchase availability and will communicate updates through official channels.

The temporary rollout comes after U.S. airstrikes and a ground operation that led to the capture of Nicolás Maduro. Washington said strikes on Jan. 3 targeted areas in and around Caracas, with reported power and internet outages in parts of the capital and nearby states. Donald Trump has said the U.S. would oversee Venezuela’s transition, though details remain limited.

Starlink delivers internet via low-Earth-orbit satellites and requires users to purchase dedicated hardware. Despite Venezuela being listed as “coming soon” on Starlink’s availability map, the company acknowledged some users are already active, underscoring the ad hoc nature of crisis deployments. How pricing and access will evolve after Feb. 3 remains unclear.

The Venezuela move mirrors Starlink’s earlier deployment in Ukraine in 2022, where it became a vital tool for civilian and military communications after infrastructure damage. That role also sparked scrutiny over the influence of a single private company in wartime connectivity—concerns that intensified after disclosures that Starlink coverage decisions affected military operations. In June 2023, the U.S. Department of Defense placed Starlink’s Ukraine activities under formal oversight via a contract with SpaceX.

Beyond conflict zones, Starlink has been used to circumvent internet shutdowns and censorship, including reported use in Iran. Venezuela has a history of connectivity restrictions during political unrest, raising the stakes of Starlink’s intervention. Analysts say such deployments are likely to continue where the U.S. has antagonistic relations with local regimes.

As Starlink’s global footprint expands, governments are backing alternatives. China and the European Union are investing in domestic satellite networks, including Shanghai-based Qianfan (SpaceSail) and China’s state-run Guowang constellation, reflecting intensifying competition in satellite broadband.

For now, Starlink’s free access could provide a critical communications bridge amid Venezuela’s turmoil—while keeping the spotlight on how private infrastructure increasingly intersects with state power during crises.