Maduro Moves Christmas to October Amid Political Crisis and U.S. Sanctions
Francis Albert Sinatra an American singer and actor who was the “Chairman of the Board” and later called “Ol’ Blue Eyes,” regarded as one of the most popular entertainers of the mid-20th century. Sinatra is among the world’s best-selling music artists, with an estimated 150 million record sales globally. He once paused a question whose answer has not been given, “Whatever happened to Christmas?”
However, in a quest for answers, Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro has moved Christmas from December to October. He announced this week that Christmas festivities would begin on October 1. In his Proclamation, Maduro said , “It’s September, and it already feels like Christmas. This year, I’m going to decree that Christmas be brought forward to demonstrate my appreciation for you.”
The decision by the 61-year-old president is seen as a move to distract people from the turmoil that has engulfed the country following a contest of July’s presidential election.
Christmas holds significant cultural importance in Catholic-majority Venezuela, and not everyone is pleased with the notion of celebrating the holiday season amid the ongoing unrest in the country.
Jose Ernesto Ruiz, an office worker in the capital city, Caracas, shared his skepticism stating, “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?”
Maduro’s declaration comes during a significant political crisis in his 11-year rule. He promised Venezuelans a holiday filled with “peace, happiness, and security,” despite deep uncertainty and dissatisfaction across the nation.
His victory in the disputed July presidential elections faces scrutiny as experts suggest that he may have lost to opposition candidate Edmundo González. Tensions escalated with an arrest warrant recently issued against González.
Adding to the strain, the United States is set to impose sanctions on 15 Venezuelan officials for obstructing free and fair elections. This list may include foreign minister Yván Gil and several members of the electoral council. Additionally, military officials implicated in the violent crackdown known as Operación Tun Tun are likely to face consequences for their roles in actions that led to over 20 deaths and 1,700 arrests during protests.
A chilling propaganda video from Venezuela’s military counterintelligence unit, DGCIM, accompanies this violent crackdown, featuring a sinister adaptation of “Carol of the Bells.” The lyrics warn that a creature named Krampus is coming for those who misbehave, saying, “If you’ve done wrong, then he will come! He’ll look for you! You’d better hide!”
While shifting Christmas celebrations is unusual, Maduro has done so before since taking office after Hugo Chávez’s death in 2013. This latest move appears to be a strategy to divert attention from the devastating economic collapse and widespread suffering under his administration, serving as a festive distraction in turbulent times.
