President Maduro Declares Christmas in Venezuela Starts in October

CARACAS, Venezuela — Recently, Venezuela has captured global interest due to a highly contentious presidential election. Both the ruling party and the opposition are claiming victory, leading to a tense environment characterized by the persecution of dissenters. A significant development is an arrest warrant issued for Edmundo González, the former opposition presidential candidate.

Amid escalating political tensions, President Nicolás Maduro has shifted focus to a seemingly lighter topic: an early Christmas celebration. In a televised address earlier this week, Maduro announced that Christmas festivities would commence on October 1, proclaiming, “It’s September, and it already smells like Christmas.”

However, not everyone shares Maduro’s enthusiasm for an early celebration.

José Ernesto Ruiz, a 57-year-old office worker in Caracas, expressed skepticism about the notion of an early Christmas. He remarked, “Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy, family reunions, parties, presents. But without money and with this political crisis, who can believe that there will be an early Christmas?”

This is not the first instance of Maduro declaring an early Christmas. He previously made similar announcements during the COVID-19 pandemic, although this timing is unprecedented. Despite his reassurances of a peaceful and joyous season, the political climate remains fraught.

The ruling party’s electoral body declared Maduro the winner of the July 28 election without the customary detailed results that have been provided in past electoral processes. This lack of transparency has earned Maduro significant international criticism, particularly from opposition factions that claim their candidate, Edmundo González, actually received more votes, backed by their own tallying methods.

In a dramatic turn of events, shortly before Maduro’s festive declaration, a Venezuelan judge issued an arrest warrant against González. The former diplomat now faces accusations ranging from conspiracy to falsifying documents and usurping powers.

Protests against Maduro have ignited in the aftermath of the election, with the government responding to dissent by detaining several individuals. Since the election, the regime has arrested over 2,000 people, including journalists, politicians, and humanitarian workers.

In the midst of these troubles, everyday citizens are grappling with profound concerns about their quality of life. Inés Quevedo, a 39-year-old secretary and mother of two, conveyed the struggles of her family, saying, “We are all worried about how we are going to put food on the table, how we are going to pay for the bus, send the children to school, and buy medicine when we need it.”

Quevedo expressed doubt that improvements to their financial situation, including Christmas bonuses called ‘aguinaldo,’ would occur this year under the current conditions.

The minimum wage in Venezuela has remained unchanged since 2022, set at just 130 bolivars per month, equivalent to approximately $3.55. In addition, workers receive a monthly food assistance bonus of about $40, along with potential benefits from government programs that could provide another $90.

“We’ll see what this Christmas is all about,” Quevedo added, reflecting the uncertainty many in Venezuela feel as the holiday season approaches.

As the international community watches closely, internal strife continues to shape the narrative in Venezuela, with many hoping for improvements in both governance and day-to-day living conditions.

Source: Associated Press