CARACAS (Reuters) – Facebook has frozen the page of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro for violating policies against the spread of misinformation about COVID-19 by promoting a remedy that he says can, without evidence, cure the disease, a spokesman for the company.
Maduro, in January, described Carvativir, an oral solution derived from thyme, as a “miracle” drug that neutralizes the coronavirus without side effects, doctors say it is not backed by science.
Facebook has withdrawn a video in which Maduro promotes medication because it violates a policy against false claims “that something can guarantee the prevention of COVID-19 or it can guarantee the recovery of COVID-19.”
“We are following the guidelines of the WHO (World Health Organization) which say that there is currently no drug to cure the virus,” the spokesman told Reuters. “Due to repeated violations of our rules, we are also freezing the page for 30 days, during which time it will only be read.”
Maduro in the video says Carvativir, which he calls “miraculous drops” by 19th-century Venezuelan doctor Jose Gregorio Hernandez, who has been beatified by the Roman Catholic Church, can be used preventively and therapeutically against coronavirus.
The Facebook spokesman informed the administrators of the page of the policy violation.
Maduro’s account on the social media platform for sharing photos Instagram, owned by Facebook, will not be affected.
The Venezuelan Ministry of Information did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Maduro, in February, said Facebook “censored” the videos in which it showed Carvativir. In the past he has said he and his allies have been treated unfairly by social media companies, including what he calls arbitrary suspension of accounts.
Maduro frequently uses social media, including Facebook and Twitter, and has sometimes given speeches on Facebook Live.
Official figures from Venezuela on Friday show 154,905 cases of coronavirus and 1,543 deaths, although opposition critics say the actual figure is likely to be higher due to limited evidence.
Reports by Brian Ellsworth; additional reports from Deisy Buitrago; Edited by Leslie Adler