"Maduro intensifies attacks on WhatsApp and calls to get rid of the app."

Nicolás Maduro has intensified his rhetoric against instant messaging platforms, accusing WhatsApp of delivering sensitive data about Venezuelan citizens to opposition leaders. During a recent meeting with young people, the president referred to the app as a tool of "terrorists," specifically pointing to opposition figures like María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia, whom he considers responsible for an alleged campaign of harassment and threats against members of the security forces and community leaders. Maduro's accusations have sparked a debate about privacy and security on social media. The president claimed that WhatsApp facilitates access to personal information about citizens, including data about their family and friendship relationships, as well as their preferences and activities on the platform. However, Maduro has not presented concrete evidence to support his claims, leading many to question the veracity of his statements. In the context of this campaign, Maduro has urged Venezuelans to rid themselves of WhatsApp, proposing a "liberation" from the app, which he claims is subject to foreign interests and a supposed psychological war against the country. These statements come amid a tense political climate, exacerbated by the controversial results of the presidential elections on July 28, which have been met with accusations of fraud from the opposition. Since July 29, more than 2,400 people have been detained during protests that the government labels "criminal" and "terrorist," while the anti-Chavismo movement attributes the violence to the state's security forces. Maduro's rhetoric has coincided with an increase in the repression of dissent, prompting analysts to consider these measures as part of a broader strategy to silence the opposition and consolidate his power. In this regard, Maduro's administration has also turned its attention to non-governmental organizations (NGOs), proposing a law aimed at regulating their operations in the country. This initiative has raised concerns among human rights defenders, who warn that it could further limit civic space in Venezuela. The government's narrative, which portrays NGOs as agents of "fascism" and "imperialism," has reinforced the stigma surrounding these organizations. Reactions to Maduro's statements have been diverse. While some sectors of the population support the government's stance, convinced that digital platforms are used to destabilize the country, others have expressed discontent over the lack of evidence and fear of greater state control over information and citizens' privacy. The international community has also been closely monitoring these developments, warning of the possibility of increased repression and human rights violations in Venezuela. As the political and social situation in the country becomes more volatile, the discussion about technology and its impact on the daily lives of Venezuelans gains greater relevance. The struggle for control of the narrative and information has become a central element in the conflict between the government and the opposition, where digital platforms play a crucial role in organizing and mobilizing dissent. In this environment, the authorities' response to the use of social media and apps like WhatsApp could have profound implications for the future of activism and opposition in Venezuela. The ability of citizens to organize and communicate without reprisals is fundamental in a context where fear and repression threaten freedom of expression and the exercise of civil rights. Polarization in Venezuelan society is heightened with each statement and action from the government. While Maduro continues his offensive, the opposition seeks effective ways to counter these accusations and mobilize the population in defense of their rights and freedoms. In this complex landscape, Venezuela's future appears uncertain, caught between the desire for political change and the resistance of a system that clings to power.