Keystone
In the midst of a serious political crisis in Venezuela, authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro is bringing Christmas forward by almost three months. “It is September and it already smells like Christmas. As a thank you to the fighting people, I will bring Christmas forward by decree to October 1,” the head of state said in a television program to supporters. “Christmas comes with peace, joy and security.”
It is not the first time that Maduro has resorted to this unusual measure to distract from the South American country’s pressing problems. During the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, he moved Christmas forward to October 15, and the following year to October 4.
At the time, Maduro published a video of the Miraflores presidential palace decorated with Christmas trees and Christmas decorations. Traditionally, the socialist government distributes food packages, such as pork knuckle, in the country’s poor neighborhoods during the Christmas season.
Opposition accuses Maduro of electoral fraud
After a presidential election on July 28 that was overshadowed by allegations of fraud, the pro-government electoral authority declared Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, the winner. The opposition accuses the government in Caracas of electoral fraud and claims victory for its candidate Edmundo González Urrutia. On Monday, a court issued an arrest warrant for the ex-diplomat at the request of the pro-government public prosecutor.
The USA and several Latin American countries have already recognised González’s election victory. The European Union and the Organisation of American States also doubt the official election result. In recent weeks, numerous opponents of the government have taken to the streets in Venezuela and abroad to protest against what they see as manipulated election results.
SDA
