01:27Mandatory credit: Canal de Youtube de Nicolas Maduro
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro publicly uninstalled technology conglomerate Meta's messenger WhatsApp in Caracas on Tuesday, claiming the platform is exploited by the Colombian drug traffickers and North American 'technological imperialists' to undermine Venezuela.
"All of us who currently communicate via WhatsApp will communicate via WeChat and Telegram from now on, and we will be happy. Because WhatsApp [as ‘Instant Messaging’] will not be in the hands of Colombian drug traffickers to attack Venezuela. It will not be in the hands of traitors, neither of the North American Empire. It is the technological empire, Miguel Angel. Do you like that concept? It is technological imperialism," he said.
Later Maduro demonstrated his smartphone's display showing the process of uninstalling of the app, adding: "I am free of WhatsApp, I'm at peace, WhatsApp-free."
Earlier on the same day Maduro addressed large crowds of student activists affiliated with his United Socialist Party of Venezuela urging residents to delete their WhatsApp accounts.
Venezuela's National Electoral Council reported that Nicolas Maduro had won a historic third term with 51 per cent of the vote to his primary challenger's 44 per cent in last Sunday's presidential elections. Following the result – which the opposition rejected – Maduro claimed a 'fascist coup' was being attempted by opposition figures with links to the US.
Russia, China, and others congratulated Maduro after his re-election, while the US said it had 'serious concerns' about the vote. The opposition claimed it won with more than 70 per cent of the votes cast, although it did not provide any evidence.
Maduro's main opponent was Edmundo Gonzalez, a 74-year-old former diplomat. Opposition frontrunner Maria Corina Machado backed Gonzalez after she was banned from taking part amid corruption allegations, which she denies.
Maduro has been in power since 2013, while his United Socialist Party of Venezuela has governed the country since 2007. Around 17 million people were eligible to vote.
'Technological imperialism!' - Maduro publicly deletes WhatsApp from phone
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro publicly uninstalled technology conglomerate Meta's messenger WhatsApp in Caracas on Tuesday, claiming the platform is exploited by the Colombian drug traffickers and North American 'technological imperialists' to undermine Venezuela.
"All of us who currently communicate via WhatsApp will communicate via WeChat and Telegram from now on, and we will be happy. Because WhatsApp [as ‘Instant Messaging’] will not be in the hands of Colombian drug traffickers to attack Venezuela. It will not be in the hands of traitors, neither of the North American Empire. It is the technological empire, Miguel Angel. Do you like that concept? It is technological imperialism," he said.
Later Maduro demonstrated his smartphone's display showing the process of uninstalling of the app, adding: "I am free of WhatsApp, I'm at peace, WhatsApp-free."
Earlier on the same day Maduro addressed large crowds of student activists affiliated with his United Socialist Party of Venezuela urging residents to delete their WhatsApp accounts.
Venezuela's National Electoral Council reported that Nicolas Maduro had won a historic third term with 51 per cent of the vote to his primary challenger's 44 per cent in last Sunday's presidential elections. Following the result – which the opposition rejected – Maduro claimed a 'fascist coup' was being attempted by opposition figures with links to the US.
Russia, China, and others congratulated Maduro after his re-election, while the US said it had 'serious concerns' about the vote. The opposition claimed it won with more than 70 per cent of the votes cast, although it did not provide any evidence.
Maduro's main opponent was Edmundo Gonzalez, a 74-year-old former diplomat. Opposition frontrunner Maria Corina Machado backed Gonzalez after she was banned from taking part amid corruption allegations, which she denies.
Maduro has been in power since 2013, while his United Socialist Party of Venezuela has governed the country since 2007. Around 17 million people were eligible to vote.
Mandatory credit: Canal de Youtube de Nicolas Maduro
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro publicly uninstalled technology conglomerate Meta's messenger WhatsApp in Caracas on Tuesday, claiming the platform is exploited by the Colombian drug traffickers and North American 'technological imperialists' to undermine Venezuela.
"All of us who currently communicate via WhatsApp will communicate via WeChat and Telegram from now on, and we will be happy. Because WhatsApp [as ‘Instant Messaging’] will not be in the hands of Colombian drug traffickers to attack Venezuela. It will not be in the hands of traitors, neither of the North American Empire. It is the technological empire, Miguel Angel. Do you like that concept? It is technological imperialism," he said.
Later Maduro demonstrated his smartphone's display showing the process of uninstalling of the app, adding: "I am free of WhatsApp, I'm at peace, WhatsApp-free."
Earlier on the same day Maduro addressed large crowds of student activists affiliated with his United Socialist Party of Venezuela urging residents to delete their WhatsApp accounts.
Venezuela's National Electoral Council reported that Nicolas Maduro had won a historic third term with 51 per cent of the vote to his primary challenger's 44 per cent in last Sunday's presidential elections. Following the result – which the opposition rejected – Maduro claimed a 'fascist coup' was being attempted by opposition figures with links to the US.
Russia, China, and others congratulated Maduro after his re-election, while the US said it had 'serious concerns' about the vote. The opposition claimed it won with more than 70 per cent of the votes cast, although it did not provide any evidence.
Maduro's main opponent was Edmundo Gonzalez, a 74-year-old former diplomat. Opposition frontrunner Maria Corina Machado backed Gonzalez after she was banned from taking part amid corruption allegations, which she denies.
Maduro has been in power since 2013, while his United Socialist Party of Venezuela has governed the country since 2007. Around 17 million people were eligible to vote.