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Starlink, the satellite internet company owned by SpaceX and Elon Musk, announced this Friday that it will offer free service until July 25 to all new and existing customers in the areas of Venezuela affected by the two earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 that shook the country on Wednesday, June 24.
The earthquakes - the most powerful recorded in Venezuela since 1900, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) - destroyed or severely damaged telephone and internet networks in Caracas, La Guaira, and other regions, turning satellite connectivity into an essential resource for rescue efforts and the search for loved ones.
What did Starlink say in its official announcement?
On its official support page, the company stated: «Following the devastating earthquakes of June 24, Starlink is providing free service until July 25 to customers in the affected areas of Venezuela.»
Through its account on X, the company expanded its reach:
"To those affected by the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela, Starlink is providing free service until July 25 for both new and existing customers."
He also added that they are working “to quickly deploy Starlink terminals and restore connectivity in the most affected areas.”
How does it work according to the type of customer?
Starlink established a differentiated mechanism for each situation:
Active clients: They do not need to carry out any procedures. The company stated, "We are proactively applying the credit to your account."
Customers with canceled service: They will receive an automatic credit that will allow them to reconnect. “If your service is canceled, we are also applying a credit to your account, which allows you to reactivate your service and connect.”
New customers: Those who purchase a kit in affected areas must contact the support team after the purchase to access the free benefit until July 25.
Damaged equipment: Users whose terminals have suffered damage can request a replacement at no cost. "If your Starlink kit was affected, please contact the support team to request a free replacement."
The municipality of Chacao has already set up Starlink antennas in Plaza de Los Palos Grandes as an emergency connectivity point.
Delcy Rodríguez publicly thanked Musk
The acting president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, expressed her gratitude for the initiative on X this Friday.
"Thank you, Elon Musk and the Starlink team, for providing free connectivity to those affected by the earthquakes in Venezuela. Every connection matters in times like these," he wrote.
The gesture is striking given the history of tensions between chavismo and figures connected to the Trump administration, with whom Musk has maintained close ties.
The magnitude of the catastrophe
Rodríguez confirmed on Friday 589 fatalities and 2,980 injuries, a number that tripled in less than 24 hours compared to the 164 deaths reported on Thursday.
The IOM estimated that up to 6.76 million people may have been affected, including approximately two million residents of Caracas.
The USGS issued its maximum level Red Alert and estimated a 42% probability that the final number of casualties could range between 10,000 and 100,000. At least 346 buildings, hospitals, and shopping centers have either collapsed or sustained severe damage.
A witness in La Guaira described the situation to RTVE: "There is no electricity, no internet, no water, there are absolutely no services."
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