As Venezuelans searched desperately for relatives following the twin powerful earthquakes that struck the country, many also faced another obstacle: the inability to freely access some of the country's most important digital platforms and independent news outlets.
Within hours of the disaster, thousands of people flooded social media with photographs, names, and last-known locations of missing family members, hoping someone could provide information. But for many inside Venezuela, accessing those posts has required virtual private networks (VPNs) because the social media platform X remained blocked by the country's main internet provider, which is owned by the government, until early this morning.
The restriction has renewed criticism from journalists, digital rights advocates, and press freedom organizations, which argue that censorship can have life-or-death consequences during emergencies when accurate, real-time information is essential.
"The lack of information costs lives," reads one campaign shared widely online under the hashtag #ConatelDesbloqueaYa, calling on Venezuela's telecommunications regulator, CONATEL, to now lift restrictions on dozens of independent news websites.
.@delcyrodriguezv tiene la obligación de ordenar el levantamiento del bloqueo contra X/Twitter y medios digitales independientes tras el terremoto en Venezuela.
— PROVEA (@_Provea) June 25, 2026
Conatel debe informar cuándo y cómo levantará las restricciones. Necesitamos transparencia y acceso a información… pic.twitter.com/QsApNXBlHD
According to the digital rights organization VE Sin Filtro, X had remained inaccessible through Venezuela's principal internet providers since August 8, 2024, when President Nicolás Maduro ordered the platform blocked following the disputed presidential election. Although Maduro initially announced the measure would last only 10 days, the restrictions have remained in place, forcing many Venezuelans to rely on VPNs to access the platform.
Independent organizations say the restrictions extend well beyond X.
VE Sin Filtro has documented the blocking of dozens of independent media outlets, human rights organizations and civil society websites over the past several years. Among the news organizations reported as blocked at various times are El Pitazo, Efecto Cocuyo, Runrun.es, Tal Cual, El Nacional, La Patilla, Analítica, Armando.info, El Estímulo, Medianálisis, VE Sin Filtro itself and even international outlets including The Wall Street Journal and, more recently, EFE.
🫓 Epa, @usembassyve, esto es contigo.
— Caracas Chronicles (@CaracasChron) June 25, 2026
Make the call. pic.twitter.com/wgTZzbV7vE
The Committee to Protect Journalists has previously warned that blocking independent news websites leaves Venezuelans with fewer reliable sources of information, particularly during moments of national crisis. Freedom House has also cited internet censorship and restrictions on digital media as ongoing concerns in Venezuela.
Venezuela, estas imágenes nos dejan a todos asombrados de la magnitud del terremoto. No podemos contra la naturaleza, pero en momentos de emergencia se necesita solidaridad y el apoyo del sistema. No sé cómo vaya a operar la dictadura. Ojalá apoyen a los damnificados.
— Patricia Janiot (@patriciajaniot) June 25, 2026
Un abrazo… pic.twitter.com/g2nNrjpRCU
Following the earthquakes, social media became one of the primary tools for locating survivors, coordinating rescue efforts and sharing emergency information. Venezuelans both inside and outside the country circulated lists of missing people, requests for medical assistance and reports from affected areas.
Many users appealed directly to authorities to restore access to X and independent news sites, arguing that unrestricted communication is critical during natural disasters.
Images circulating online urged the government to "urgently unblock X.com and the media," while another campaign highlighted that more than 200 internet domains have been restricted in Venezuela and warned that information blackouts during emergencies can hinder rescue operations.
As rescue efforts continue, digital rights groups are again calling on authorities to lift internet restrictions, arguing that access to reliable information is not only a matter of freedom of expression but also a vital public safety issue during one of the country's most serious natural disasters in years.
