With political turbulence besieging Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro has declared to direct the attention of the nation towards an unusual subject: Christmas. In his unexpected move, he has announced that this year the arrival of Christmas will be prematurely celebrated starting in October. This momentous announcement arrives against the backdrop of rising political tempers after a disputed presidential election.
Political Crisis Overshadowed by Early Christmas Declaration
The state has still not recovered from the effects of the contested presidential elections that took place on July 28, when both ruling and opposition parties claimed to be victors. The electoral authorities thought to be loyal to Maduro did not provide any detailed results but declared him a winner just as they used to do in previous selections. Thus, this lack of transparency has attracted international wrath and heightened political tensions.
A few hours ahead of an early Christmas, as declared by Maduro, a Venezuelan judge issued an arrest warrant against Edmundo González, who was one of the major contenders for his post. Formerly serving as an envoy, Gonzalez is being accused of several criminal offenses, including collusion and forgery. Nonetheless, his backers claim this could also mean a government ambush against dissenters.
Maduro’s Christmas Strategy: A Distraction or a Tribute?
In an unexpected announcement made during his weekly television show, Maduro said, “September is here, and the smell of Christmas can be felt already. That’s why this year I will declare an early Christmas on October 1 as a tribute to all of you and in appreciation for everything.”
It’s not new for him to declare an early Christmas season. A similar situation occurred last year when he did it amidst COVID-19 but later than usual. Nevertheless, it appears that his proclamation comes at a time when Venezuela is very tense. While some Venezuelans doubt Maduro’s claims that it will bring “peace, happiness, and security,” he insists otherwise.
Public Skepticism Amid Economic Hardship
For numerous Venezuelans, the notion of marking the Christmas season earlier than normal seems strange to them in light of their current situations. The persistent economic crisis in this country has rendered lots of individuals incapable of even meeting their basic needs, so it is unlikely that they would be able to afford any form of holiday celebration. This statement is illustrated by José Ernesto Ruiz, a 57-year-old office worker based in Caracas who expressed his sentiments thus: “Christmas should be joyous with family reunions, parties, and gifts given out freely, but who can ever expect it to happen when there is no money and under current political turmoil?”
The economic condition of Venezuela has been bad for many years, where the minimum wage has remained static at 130 bolivars, which is approximately $3.55 per month. Additionally, workers may receive food aid worth about $40 monthly, while those on government subsidy earn an extra $90 per month from the latter, thus making them quite inadequate in meeting basic living requirements.
Inés Quevedo, aged thirty-nine years with two children, lamented: “All of us are worried about how we will have something to eat; how can we afford to transport, send children to school, or even buy medicine when necessary? I do not believe they will raise our salaries or pay us aguinaldo,” she continued, referring to Christmas bonuses that workers usually receive towards the end of every year.
The Uncertain Future of Christmas in Venezuela
Amidst the challenges that Venezuela is currently undergoing, mixed reactions have trailed the decree of early Christmas by Maduro. Though some people may take solace in this holiday period, others think it is just a distraction away from pressing issues. The expected peace and happiness that this early Christmas has brought might not be realized now; hence, Venezuelans are left with nothing but facing the realities of life and future unpredictability.
