President Maduro announces early Christmas celebrations "with peace, happiness and safety"

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro decided to celebrate Christmas early on October 1 despite concerns about an internal crisis following the July election results.

The political situation this year is particularly tense, despite Venezuela's government's pledge that the holiday season will come "with peace, happiness and safety." (Source: Bloomberg)

In recent weeks, the world's eyes have been on Venezuela in a contentious presidential election, with both the ruling party and the opposition claiming victory.

However, despite escalating internal political tensions, President Nicolas Maduro has decided to celebrate Christmas and the holiday season early this year, in October.

“It’s only September, but it feels like Christmas is already here. That’s why this year I will issue a decree to start the Christmas season early, starting on October 1, as a way to show gratitude to everyone,” Maduro said.

But not everyone is excited about the approaching Christmas. José Ernesto Ruiz, a 57-year-old office worker in the capital Caracas, said Christmas should be a time of joy, family reunions, parties and gifts, but with no money and a political crisis, who can enjoy an early Christmas?

This is not the first time the president, in power since 2013, has declared an early Christmas. Mr. Maduro issued a similar order during the Covid-19 pandemic, but never so early.

In addition, the political situation this year is particularly tense, although Caracas has pledged that the festive season will come “with peace, happiness and safety”.

Electoral authorities loyal to the ruling party declared Mr. Maduro the winner of the July 28 election, without releasing any detailed results to justify the decision, as is customary in previous presidential elections.

The above developments were assessed by the international community as "lacking transparency", while the main opposition released electronic copies of its ballots, showing that candidate Edmundo González received the most votes.

Just hours before President Maduro made his early holiday announcement, a Venezuelan judge issued an arrest warrant for opposition politician González on charges including conspiracy to falsify documents and usurp power.

Following the election and the declaration of President Nicolas Maduro as the winner, protests broke out, with clashes between police and protesters. According to the country’s Attorney General’s Office, more than 2,000 people were arrested for vandalism of state infrastructure, incitement of hatred and terrorism.

Inés Quevedo, a 39-year-old secretary and mother of two, said people were worried about how to pay for food, bus fare, their children's education and medicine.

The minimum wage for Venezuelans has not changed since 2022: 130 bolívars per month, or about $3.55. Workers also receive a monthly food allowance of about $40, and those enrolled in the government's subsidy system receive an additional $90.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/venezuela-president-maduro-cong-bo-to-organize-giang-sinh-soon-voi-binh-yen-hanh-phuc-va-an-toan-285000.html