VENEZUELAN leader Nicolás Maduro declared that Christmas will officially begin on October 1, a move that has sparked both excitement and skepticism among the populace.
Speaking during his weekly television show on Monday, Maduro proclaimed, “September smells like Christmas!” and expressed his intention to spread “peace, joy, and security” during the holiday season.
However, this festive decree arrives as thousands of Venezuelans face a grim holiday season behind bars due to a government crackdown on political dissents. Just hours before Maduro’s announcement, authorities issued an arrest warrant for opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez, accusing him of terrorism-related crimes linked to the controversial July presidential election, which Maduro claimed to have won amid widespread allegations of fraud.
The opposition contends that the election results were manipulated, with independent analysts suggesting that Maduro may have actually lost by a substantial margin. In response, the U.S. and other nations have called for transparency in the voting process, demanding access to detailed electoral data. The crackdown on dissent has intensified, with approximately 2,400 arrests reported, as protests against the election results have been met with severe repression.
Despite the festive declarations, Maduro’s government continues to bolster its security measures, recently opening two new prisons to accommodate the growing number of political detainees. The leader has even endorsed a controversial program dubbed “Operation Knock-Knock,” which refers to the intimidating presence of government forces at the doors of critics.
This is not the first time Maduro has extended the Christmas season. Last year, he announced that celebrations would start on November 1, citing economic boosts as a rationale. In 2021, he initiated festivities on October 4 amid the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Venezuelan Episcopal Conference has voiced its disapproval of Maduro’s early Christmas proclamation, stating that the holiday should not be used for political gain. “Christmas commences on December 25,” it stated.
