In an unprecedented move, President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela has declared that the Christmas season will commence on 1 October, significantly earlier than in previous years. During his weekly television program, Con Maduro+, the president expressed gratitude towards the Venezuelan populace, proclaiming the decree as a tribute to their resilience amidst ongoing hardships.

Historically, Maduro has been known to reschedule the Christmas festivities, a practice he initiated following the tenure of his predecessor, Hugo Chávez. This year, however, marks the earliest onset of the holiday season since Maduro assumed office in 2013. Previous adjustments included starting Christmas on 15 October in 2020, and subsequently on 5 October in 2021, highlighted by a social media announcement showcasing the decoration of the Miraflores Palace, the presidential residence.

Despite President Maduro’s enthusiasm for an extended holiday period, various sources, including the news agency EFE, indicate that the primary outcome of this decree will be the decoration of public spaces. The general sentiment among the Venezuelan population, meanwhile, is far from celebratory. Citizens are grappling with critical issues such as affordability of basic necessities, transportation, education for their children, and access to healthcare. Inés Quevedo, a 39-year-old secretary and mother of two, articulated the frustrations shared by many, stating, “We are all worried about how we are going to put food on the table… I do not think they will improve our salaries or provide us with the typical Christmas bonuses.”

The country is currently embroiled in a severe political crisis following the contentious presidential elections held on 28 July. Both President Maduro and his opposition counterpart, Edmundo González, assert their claims to victory, yet the ruling party has not released the electoral records to substantiate its assertions, leading the European Union to withhold recognition of either candidate. EU diplomat Josep Borrell described Maduro’s tenure as lacking democratic legitimacy based on unverified electoral outcomes, affirming the stance of international scrutiny regarding the electoral process.

Compounding the political turmoil, shortly before the holiday announcement, a Venezuelan judge issued an arrest warrant for Edmundo González, alleging charges that include conspiracy and document forgery.

As Venezuela prepares to observe an earlier Christmas, citizens like Inés Quevedo remain skeptical, uncertain of what the holiday will truly entail amid ongoing struggles for survival. The juxtaposition of festive declarations against a backdrop of pervasive distress underscores the complexities facing the nation as it navigates through political and economic turmoil.

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