After being challenged by Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, tech mogul Elon Musk has accepted a "duel" with the ruler, even proposing terms that many followers deemed "fair." Following his support for opposition leader María Corina Machado, the billionaire has become the "public enemy" number one of Maduro's regime, who accused him of wanting to "invade Venezuela" and, in a display of bravado, challenged him: "Elon Musk, you want a fight? Let's go, Elon Musk. I am ready. I am the son of Bolívar and Chávez. I am not afraid of you, Elon Musk. Let's do this," the Chavista dictator declared.
In a brief message posted on X, Musk confirmed he accepted the challenge amid the growing crisis in Venezuela, where people are taking to the streets to denounce electoral fraud and reject Maduro's proclamation as re-elected president. "If I win, he will resign as dictator of Venezuela. If he wins, I'll give him a free trip to Mars," the entrepreneur wrote.
Once proclaimed president in an election denounced as fraudulent by the opposition and the international community, Maduro stated that "social media creates a virtual reality, and the virtual reality is controlled by our new archenemy, the famous and desperate Elon Musk." He further accused Musk of wanting to use his rockets and an army to invade Venezuela. "Elon Musk, it's good you showed your face because we knew you were behind all this, Elon Musk, with your money, with your satellites," Maduro accused the owner of Tesla and SpaceX.
This Wednesday, Maduro lost his governmental entity verification on the social network X (the gray badge), owned by Musk. This action follows the heated exchange between the two, stemming from the accusations of electoral fraud in Venezuela.
Understanding the Musk-Maduro Conflict
The following questions and answers provide further insights into the escalating conflict between Elon Musk and Nicolás Maduro.
Why did Elon Musk challenge Nicolás Maduro?
Elon Musk accepted Nicolás Maduro's challenge following accusations from Maduro that Musk wanted to invade Venezuela. Musk proposed terms for the duel, stating that if he won, Maduro would resign as dictator, and if Maduro won, he would get a free trip to Mars.
What events led to the conflict between Musk and Maduro?
The conflict escalated after Musk supported opposition leader María Corina Machado, becoming a significant opponent of Maduro's regime. Accusations of wanting to invade Venezuela and meddle with its politics further fueled the tension.
How has the international community responded to Maduro's re-election?
The international community, along with the Venezuelan opposition, has largely denounced Maduro's re-election as fraudulent, leading to increased protests and unrest in Venezuela.