Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, has reported that users in Venezuela are facing difficulties accessing the platform. The company stated in a post on X that similar to other websites in Venezuela, including social media platforms, Binance’s pages are experiencing access restrictions. The exchange assured users that they are closely monitoring the situation and working to resolve it as quickly as possible, emphasizing that users’ funds are secure.
According to human-rights organization VE sin Filtro, the state-run telecommunications and internet service provider CANTV in Venezuela is blocking Amazon CloudFront’s service, leading to widespread blockages of websites. These restrictions come in the wake of President Nicolas Maduro’s announcement that access to X will be blocked for 10 days in an effort to curb violence and external attacks on Venezuela.
The political situation in Venezuela has been tumultuous, especially following the National Electoral Council’s declaration of Maduro as the winner of the recent presidential election. The opposition has contested the results, alleging fraud and claiming their own candidate as the rightful winner based on their own calculations. This has led to further unrest and accusations of human-rights abuses by security forces.
The suspension of access to X as part of an information blackout strategy is raising concerns about the suppression of free speech and access to information in Venezuela. The United Nations has expressed alarm over reports of detentions, injuries, and deaths, as well as violence carried out by security forces in the country.
Overall, the situation in Venezuela is complex and evolving, with implications for both political stability and digital freedom. The restrictions on access to platforms like Binance and X highlight the challenges faced by users in the country, as well as the broader issues of censorship and control of information. As the situation continues to develop, it is crucial for organizations and individuals to monitor the events closely and advocate for transparency and respect for human rights in Venezuela.
