Starlink Offers Free Internet Access in Venezuela After U.S. Military Action

Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by SpaceX, has begun offering free broadband access to users in Venezuela following recent U.S. airstrikes and the arrest of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

The company said it is providing complimentary service credits to both active and inactive Starlink accounts in Venezuela through February 3, as it monitors developments related to security and regulatory conditions. The move comes amid widespread power and internet outages reported in parts of the country, particularly in and around the capital, Caracas.

Starlink said it has not yet announced a timeline for full commercial availability in Venezuela and added that any updates would be communicated through official channels. The company’s coverage map continues to list the country as “coming soon,” indicating that the service has not formally launched there.

Starlink provides internet access using a network of low-Earth-orbit satellites and requires users to install specialised hardware to connect. While the company did not disclose how many users are currently accessing the service in Venezuela, it said the free access is intended to support connectivity during a period of disruption.

U.S. military operations on January 3 reportedly targeted locations in Caracas and surrounding states, including Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira. Following the strikes, local media reported electricity and internet outages across several areas.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington would oversee Venezuela’s political transition after Maduro’s arrest, while warning of further military action if new authorities fail to comply with U.S. demands. The U.S. also announced that Vice President Delcy Rodríguez had been sworn in following Maduro’s detention.

The developments have drawn international concern. The United Nations Security Council is expected to meet on January 6 to discuss the legality of the U.S. action, as several countries, including Brazil and Spain, have criticised the strikes.

Venezuela is not the first conflict-affected country to receive emergency Starlink support. The service has previously been deployed in Ukraine to restore connectivity after communications infrastructure was damaged during the war. In that case, Starlink operations were later funded under a contract with the U.S. Department of Defense.

Starlink has not provided details on the cost of offering free access in Venezuela or how long the service may remain available.