Venezuelan President Accuses TikTok and Instagram of Spreading Hate in the Country

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has accused TikTok and Instagram of spreading hate in the country. “I want to ask TikTok whether they allow such fascist and hate-inciting videos in the U.S. and Europe? No. They want to infect Venezuela with hate and division. TikTok is legally responsible for everything they do against Venezuela, just as Instagram is,” Maduro said during a rally for his supporters.

As noted by the Venezuelan leader, videos inciting violence against supporters of the current government have gained widespread traction on TikTok in recent days.

Presidential elections were held in Venezuela on July 28. According to the country’s National Electoral Council, after counting nearly 97% of the ballots, 51.95% of voters supported Maduro, while his main rival, Edmundo González, received 43.18% of the vote. Opposition leader María Corina Machado had already stated on election day that González’s team would not recognize their defeat in the elections.

The following day, protests and riots broke out in central Caracas. According to Venezuelan authorities, more than 1,000 people involved in the unrest have been arrested for arson and other violations, over 70 law enforcement officers have been injured, and two soldiers have been killed.