As Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro continues to be in the center of geopolitical tensions, as his government declared victory in the elections without showing supporting documentation and continues to ignore international pressure, he has also made headlines recently for a more bizarre reason: declaring the beginning of Christmas season in October.
Maduro made the announcement during a televised address this week, saying it was a gesture of gratitude to the people of Venezuela: "It is September and it already smells like Christmas. And that is why this year, in homage to you, in gratitude to you, I am going to decree the advancement of Christmas to October 1."
The move was seen by many as an attempt 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.
Also because it is far from the first time it happens. Maduro has declared the beginning of Christmas months before four times before: in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023. The first one brought forward a ceremony that usually takes place on December 1. "Nothing and no one will take away our happiness and the peace of the people, which is greeting Christmas with a country at peace (...) we will defend peace in Venezuela!" Maduro said back then.
The president made similar statements throughout the years. In 2020 he said the theme was "food sovereignty," while the 2021 decision was a result of the need to boost the economy amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Then in 2023 Maduro made reference to the fact that he hadn't done so that year, moving on to make an impromptu announcement. "That boosts joy, happiness. I decree the beginning of a happy Christmas for the Venezuelan people. It will be the best one we've ever had," he said.
During the weeks leading up to the December holidays, the Chavista regime has historically increased the distribution of aid and food packages in the most impoverished neighborhoods, including hams that during the worst years of the economic crisis became the most anticipated product in the boxes handed out by the so-called Local Committees for Supply and Production (CLAP), El País reported.
Going back to 2024, the announcement also sparked concern over its timing, as the new president is scheduled to take office on January 10th, after the holiday season and some fear that the move might be another attempt by Maduro to consolidate power, especially given the ongoing dispute over the election results.
The announcement coincides with intensified actions against the Venezuelan opposition. The arrest warrant for González Urrutia includes charges of "disobedience of laws" and "conspiracy." Maduro has called for the imprisonment of both González Urrutia and opposition leader María Corina Machado, who are currently in hiding.
Venezuela's Catholic Church rejected Maduro's announcement, saying the holiday "is not to be used for political or propaganda goals." "Christmas begins on December 25," the Church said.
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