Maduro protests Facebook "Freeze"

Maduro respond to Facebook suspension with anger

In recent days, Facebook placed a suspension on Venezuelan president, Nicolas Maduro's, Facebook page after acknowledging the spread of COVID-19 misinformation on the account (Aljazeera). In response, Maduro and the Venezuelan ministry responded with anger and frustration: "“We are witnessing a digital totalitarianism..." (Reuters).

Amidst the COVID crisis, Venezuela has suffered extensively at the hands of the virus and government response. The country has recently reported 155,663 cases, and 1,555 deaths, which are lower numbers in comparison to neighboring countries (Reuters). However, the data suggests that cases have not been accurately reported due to the strain on testing and a recent surge in cases (Aljazeera).

The most controversial aspect of Venezuela's response, however, is its unwillingness to cooperate with internationally approved vaccinations and aid. In this Facebook advertisement, Maduro advocated for a COVID-19 cure based in the country known as Carvativir which is "an oral solution derived from thyme," according to Reuters' article. This "cure" however has not been approved by Venezuelan doctors or the international community, thereby inciting controversy on Facebook. According to Facebook, this required a 30-day freeze of Maduro's account (Aljazeera).

In general, the Maduro regime has handled and received aid for the virus poorly. The Center for Strategic and International Studies reports that due to Venezuela's history of human rights violations and unwillingness to cooperate with Western nations, it has not received the $760 million in aid necessary to combat the crisis (Rendon). Instead, Maduro has continued to reject aid from international organizations such as WHO and criticize their handling of the crisis. Moreover, countries that could donate are ambivalent because of Maduro's reign and his abuses of power, especially seeing as he has used the lockdown to strengthen his stance against opposition within the country (Rendon).

However, another important component to consider in this situation is the role of the United States. Before the pandemic, sanctions were increased on Venezuela in order to pressure the abusive regime, but the effects have been equally, if not more, damaging on the country itself (Rendon). Access to resources has been scarce for a while, but the pandemic has greatly exacerbated this fact (Rendon).

COVID-19 continues to strain Venezuelan communities

Ultimately, there are several questions that arise in response to Facebook's censorship. Maduro and the Venezuelan ministry are clearly stubborn and unwilling to cooperate with the international community, which has inevitably worsened their internal stability. In spreading false information through social media, Maduro is only hurting his cause. Additionally, Facebook is a private company, and its role in the international community, though debated, is not defined. Maduro's accusations are potentially exaggerated, but at the same time, one must ask if Facebook and other social media outlets can truly censor foreign countries and their leaders. It is also important to consider that the international pressures on Venezuela have left consequences for citizens of the country. Although the regime is dangerous, when should the international community recognize that their efforts are hurting more than helping?


Additional readings on Venezuela's COVID-19 status can be found here.

Further analysis of Facebook's role in the international community can be found here.


Cited Articles:

Al Jazeera. “Venezuela Slams Facebook 'Totalitarianism' for Maduro Page Freeze.” Coronavirus Pandemic News | Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera, 28 Mar. 2021, www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/3/28/venezuela-slams-facebook-totalitarianism-for-maduro-page-freeze.

Rendon, Moises, and Lucan Sanchez. “Covid-19 in Venezuela: How the Pandemic Deepened a Humanitarian Crisis.” Covid-19 in Venezuela: How the Pandemic Deepened a Humanitarian Crisis | Center for Strategic and International Studies, 22 Dec. 2020, www.csis.org/analysis/covid-19-venezuela-how-pandemic-deepened-humanitarian-crisis#:~:text=It%20is%20estimated%20that%20Venezuela,Republic%20of%20Congo%20have%20received.

Reuters Staff. “Venezuela Calls Facebook Suspension of Maduro 'Digital Totalitarianism'.” Reuters, Thomson Reuters, 28 Mar. 2021, www.reuters.com/article/us-facebook-venezuela-idUSKBN2BK0H9.