Venezuela’s government accused Facebook of “digital totalitarianism” for freezing President Nicolas Maduro’s page for 30 days after he posted what the social network deemed misinformation about COVID-19.
The combative leader also said that he will simply use his wife’s Facebook page to share his daily virus briefing.
Facebook also took down a video in which Maduro promoted Carvativir, a Venezuelan-made remedy he claims, without evidence, can cure the disease, Reuters reported. It said it was following World Health Organization guidance that no medication can cure the virus.
The treatment is made from the herb thyme, which has been used for traditional medicine for centuries. But even Venezuelan doctors say the remedy hasn’t been proven against the coronavirus.
In a statement on Sunday, Venezuela’s information ministry said Facebook was going after “content geared toward combating the pandemic” and described Carvativir as a retroviral of “national production and engineering.”
“We are witnessing a digital totalitarianism exercised by supranational companies who want to impose their law on the countries of the world,” the ministry said.
Other world leaders, from former President Donald Trump to Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro have also seen social media companies act on what they deemed false or misleading posts related to the coronavirus. Trump’s social media accounts were suspended after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
Facebook declined to comment.