Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro has sparked a fresh controversy with his unusual claim about mobile security. During a press conference on Monday, Maduro flaunted his new Huawei Mate X6, a foldable smartphone gifted to him by Chinese President Xi Jinping, and declared it to be the “safest phone in the world.”

According to Maduro, “America cannot hack this phone, not even with its spy planes or satellites.” His statement comes amid rising tensions between Washington and Caracas, further fueling the political and technological rivalry between the US and China.

Maduro’s Claim on Huawei Mate X6

The Huawei Mate X6, launched in 2024, is known for its foldable design and runs on Huawei’s in-house HarmonyOS operating system, developed after Google’s Android restrictions on the company.

Maduro praised the device, calling it secure, advanced, and unbeatable by US intelligence agencies. “This is the world’s best and safest phone,” he said, showcasing it in front of the media.

Cybersecurity Experts Reject Maduro’s Statement

While Maduro’s comments made headlines, cybersecurity experts were quick to dismiss his claim. According to them, it is misleading to say that the US—or any advanced cyber force—cannot hack the Huawei Mate X6.

Experts point out that:

• Huawei makes both the hardware and HarmonyOS, which can lead to more vulnerabilities in the early stages of adoption.

• Unlike iOS and Android, which have matured over years of global use, HarmonyOS is still evolving.

• In August 2024, Huawei admitted to fixing 60 security flaws in its system, including 13 critical vulnerabilities.

• Regular updates are issued, but not all devices receive patches on time, leaving potential loopholes open for hackers.

The Long-Running US–Huawei Dispute

The Huawei vs. US conflict dates back more than a decade.

• In 2014, Edward Snowden’s leaks revealed that the US National Security Agency (NSA) had accessed Huawei’s servers in China to monitor global communications.

• Since then, Washington has repeatedly accused Huawei of posing a national security risk, while Beijing has countered by accusing the US of cyber espionage.

• Recently, China alleged that US agencies launched cyberattacks targeting its critical infrastructure, reigniting tensions.

Symbolism Behind Maduro’s Statement

Analysts believe Maduro’s bold claim was less about technology and more about politics. By publicly endorsing a Chinese device as “unhackable,” the Venezuelan president is signaling a deeper strategic partnership with China while mocking the US, with whom Venezuela shares strained ties.

However, experts caution that no smartphone is completely hack-proof, regardless of its manufacturer or operating system.