Venezuela Restores Access to Blocked News Sites as Political Talks Resume
Venezuela's telecom regulator ordered internet providers to unblock several news websites, even as government-opposition talks resumed and protesters rallied in Caracas.
Venezuelans were able to reach several previously blocked news websites without a VPN on Thursday, after the government directed internet service providers to restore access to a set of local and international media outlets.
The telecommunications regulator CONATEL said the decision was taken on instructions from acting president Delcy Rodríguez. The change allowed readers to open outlets that had been inaccessible, including the local news site El Estimulo.
Digital rights group VE Sin Filtro reported that at least 10 news portals had been restored, while cautioning that numerous media, nongovernmental organisation and political websites continued to be blocked.
In Caracas, residents described the shift as a partial relief after years of relying on workarounds. Mauricio Greggio, who runs a bakery in the capital, said VPNs often failed and people turned to other platforms to follow the news.
"Sometimes the VPN didn't work, and you had to look elsewhere to get the news," he said. "So, to a certain extent, the blockade was meant to prevent us from finding out what was happening. But in the end, you found out through other means, such as Twitter (X)."
He added that the easing of some restrictions felt liberating but incomplete. "It is going to be a little harder because we are coming out of circumstances that we grew very accustomed to, and we suffered a little from Stockholm syndrome," he said. "We got used to the same old hassle. And suddenly, we feel somewhat liberated, although we are not completely free."
The announcement coincided with preparations for a second round of talks between government delegates and representatives of the opposition-led 2015 National Assembly, aimed at strengthening democratic institutions and restoring fundamental rights.
Separately, a small group of demonstrators gathered near one of the country's main universities, carrying banners with a crossed-out image of Donald Trump and slogans including "Out Trump of Venezuela" and "No to the imperialist looting." Some of those protesting are demanding the holding of presidential elections, directing their criticism at both the Rodríguez government and the US president.