Maduro Signs Decree to Block Social Media Platform X for 10 Days

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has signed a decree to block access to social media platform X for 10 days, following claims that it incited violence after the presidential election. Maduro has criticized X's owner, Elon Musk, and urged supporters to abandon WhatsApp for Telegram or WeChat.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Thursday enacted a decree to block access to social media platform X for 10 days, accusing the platform of inciting violence post-election.

Maduro has frequently criticized X's owner Elon Musk since the disputed July 28 election, which the opposition claims to have won—a stance increasingly supported by Western governments. The president said the decree, presented by regulator Conatel, would take social network X, formerly known as Twitter, out of circulation for 10 days.

In a state television broadcast, Maduro announced, "X, get out of Venezuela for 10 days!" The president and Venezuela's electoral authority claim a third-term victory, while the opposition asserts it has vote counts proving otherwise. Detailed vote tallies remain unpublished.

(With inputs from agencies.)