Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro has declared that Christmas will start in October this year, three months earlier than usual.
This announcement comes while the country is facing ongoing protests and unrest following a disputed presidential election in July. Many critics believe this move is politically motivated, as Maduro has yet to provide evidence of his victory in the contested election.
Maduro made the announcement during his weekly television show, saying, “It’s September, and it already smells like Christmas,” and declared October 1 as the new start of the holiday season. However, his decision has drawn criticism from various groups, including the Venezuelan Episcopal Conference, which stated that Christmas traditionally begins on December 25 and should not be used for political purposes.
Venezuela has been struggling with severe economic challenges, including low wages and a high cost of living.
Many citizens, like office worker José Ernesto Ruiz and mother Inés Quevedo, expressed doubts about celebrating Christmas early, citing financial difficulties and the ongoing political crisis. Despite the early festivities, many Venezuelans are more concerned about how they will manage their everyday needs, such as food, transportation, and medicine.
