Venezuelan Government Blocks Binance and X Amid Protests
The Venezuelan government has blocked access to Binance, X (formerly Twitter), and other online services following protests over the disputed presidential election results. Reports indicate that the state-owned internet service provider CANTV is leading the blockade, affecting the normal functioning of various websites.
Binance Faces Disruption in Venezuela
On August 9, local anti-censorship group VE sin Filtro reported that DNS blocking had affected the cryptocurrency exchange Binance, disrupting its website and mobile app. Venezuela’s largest broadband Internet access provider, CANTV, has also reportedly targeted other major websites such as Reddit, Signal, and X (Twitter), possibly as part of the government’s crackdown on cryptocurrency trading.
In response to the blockade, Binance reassured its Venezuelan customers of the security of their funds and stated that they are actively engaging with local authorities to address the issue swiftly. However, the timeline for restoring access to Binance remains uncertain, and X has confirmed being blocked in Venezuela as well.
Maduro Accuses Musk of Inciting Chaos Through X
Venezuelan President Maduro has accused Elon Musk, the owner of X, of using the platform to incite protests following the disputed election. Maduro labeled Musk’s actions as part of a U.S.-backed attempt to destabilize Venezuela, alleging violations of Venezuelan laws and incitement of civil unrest. Despite these allegations, the situation remains fluid as both X and Binance navigate the challenges posed by the government-led restrictions.
As the situation unfolds, the implications of these blockades on freedom of expression and access to financial services in Venezuela raise concerns about potential long-term repercussions. It remains to be seen how the involved parties will address and resolve the issues at hand to ensure the continuity of online services for Venezuelan citizens.
