Starlink in Venezuela: the barrier is no longer OFAC, but Venezuela’s own paperwork

Conatel and SpaceX reviewed the framework to formalize Starlink in Venezuela and the regulator asked it to homologate its equipment. The piece usually missing in these cases — the U.S. authorization for an American company — already exists: OFAC maintains general licenses for telecommunications and the internet (GL 24A and 25) that Starlink can rely on. What remains is Venezuelan execution: homologation, spectrum concession and title.

Published July 28, 2026

On July 27 and 28, Conatel held a working meeting with representatives of SpaceX and Starlink to review the technical, legal and economic aspects of regularizing satellite internet in Venezuela. The regulator urged the company to begin homologating its equipment — a prerequisite for the administrative title — and SpaceX expressed its willingness to adapt its legal and institutional structure to Venezuelan rules.

The headline is about connectivity, but the decisive half of the file is in Washington: because SpaceX is an American company, it needs OFAC coverage to operate while sanctions remain in force. And here is the twist almost no coverage mentions: that coverage already exists. The consequence inverts the question — it is not whether a U.S. company can operate in Venezuela, but when the Venezuelan State finishes its part of the process.

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VENE · ECONOMIST Intelligence Unit · Informational analysis. Does not constitute investment, legal or tax advice. Vene Economist is not a credit rating agency; the "VE Verdict" is a proprietary editorial indicator, not a credit rating. Always verify against the primary source before making decisions.

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OFAC

Authorizes, through 12:01 a.m. eastern time on October 23, 2026, transactions ordinarily incident and necessary to earthquake-relief efforts following the June 24, 2026 earthquake in Venezuela that would otherwise be prohibited by the Venezuela Sanctions Regulations (31 CFR part 591), including those involving the Government of Venezuela and SDNs sanctioned under the executive orders incorporated into the VSR. Note 1 covers the processing and transfer of funds on behalf of third-country persons in support of relief and lets U.S. financial institutions and money transmitters rely on the originator to establish compliance. Does not unblock blocked property and does not cover ordinary activity (routine remittances, general commerce).

ANÁLISIS · RIESGO · MARCO INSTITUCIONAL

The dialogue that underpins Venezuela’s transition is being prepared in Madrid — and starts without its central figure

On August 1 the government-opposition table on electoral reform is seated, with U.S. accompaniment. But the preparatory meetings are in Madrid, the participants are announced that very day, and the main opposition figure has just stepped back: Machado and González announced on July 26 that they will not take part.

Starlink in Venezuela: the barrier is no longer OFAC, but Venezuela’s own paperwork

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The dialogue that underpins Venezuela’s transition is being prepared in Madrid — and starts without its central figure