Monday was a busy day in Venezuela, even for the country's frantic standards as it continues to be engulfed in a grave crisis. First off, the United States seized an aircraft used by Nicolás Maduro in Dominican Republic, citing violations of U.S. sanctions and other criminal activities. Later on in the day, a government-friendly court granted an arrest warrant on opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia, who's considered by many in the international community as the outright winner of the July 28 presidential elections.
Then, during a televised address, Maduro announced an early start to the Christmas season, saying he was moving the festivities up to October 1st, a move that is seen by many as one seeking to ease tensions in the country after a massive national blackout on Friday and recent polls suggesting tens of thousands of additional Venezuelans are currently considering fleeing the country amid the electoral fallout and ensuing government repression.
