Venezuela’s Minister of People’s Power for Science and Technology, Ricardo Menendez, dismissed the allegations spread by a small number of groups that Venezuela planned to censor the Internet . Menendez highlighted the increasing penetration of the Internet in Venezuela , which has steadily increased over the years.
Internet access in Venezuela has increased from just three percent of the population in 2007 to 33 percent today, showcasing Venezuela ’s interest in the democratization of the telecommunications.
He also noted that fixed telephone lines now number 6.2 million, a 74 percent increase from 2007, when telecommunications firm CANTV was privately owned.
Menendez also pointed to the growth in mobile phone, noting that provider Movilnet saw an increase in subscribers from 8.3 million to 14.2 million users, representing an increase of 710 percent, over the last four years.
YVKE Mundial, Press Office-Venezuelan Embassy to the U.S. / may 23, 2011
