In a move that has sparked both bewilderment and criticism, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has decreed that Christmas will officially begin in October this year, marking the earliest start to the holiday season in the country’s history. The announcement, made during his weekly television show, comes against the backdrop of widespread political unrest and a harsh crackdown on dissent following the disputed presidential election in July 2024.
“September smells like Christmas!” Maduro proclaimed on his show, adding that the early start to the holiday season was meant to bring peace, joy, and security to the Venezuelan people. “This year, and to honor you all, to thank you all, I am going to decree the beginning of Christmas on October 1. Christmas arrived for everyone, in peace, joy, and security!” he said, to the apparent delight of his studio audience.
However, this decree is more than just an oddity; it is a calculated move by Maduro to distract from the intense political crisis that has gripped Venezuela since the contested presidential election. The opposition, led by Edmundo Gonzalez, has alleged massive electoral fraud, claiming that Maduro’s victory is illegitimate. Despite these claims, Maduro has continued to assert his control over the country, using both legal and extralegal means to silence opposition voices.
Just hours before Maduro’s announcement, Venezuelan authorities issued an arrest warrant for Gonzalez, accusing him of “crimes associated with terrorism.” This accusation stems from Gonzalez’s alleged involvement with an opposition website that published alternative results of the presidential vote, suggesting that Maduro had lost by a significant margin. The Venezuelan Prosecutor’s Office stated that Gonzalez had failed to respond to three summonses regarding the investigation.
The arrest warrant for Gonzalez is part of a broader pattern of repression in the wake of the election. Human Rights Watch (HRW) and other non-governmental organizations have reported a severe crackdown on political protests, with over 2,400 people arrested and at least 24 killed during clashes with security forces. HRW’s Director for the Americas, Juanita Goebertus, highlighted that this year’s post-electoral violence is the deadliest Venezuela has seen in years.
“On average, [this year] is much more intense in terms of the number of people that have died in the context of post-electoral violence and protest,” Goebertus told CNN. She added that the number of arrests in 2024 far exceeds those seen during previous cycles of unrest in 2014 and 2017.
Maduro has shown no signs of backing down from his aggressive stance. In fact, he has ordered the construction of two new prisons specifically to hold detained protesters, and he has endorsed what is being informally called “Operation Knock-Knock.” This initiative, named after a popular Venezuelan Christmas song, involves government security forces making unannounced visits to the homes of suspected opposition supporters, often leading to their arrest and detention in the notorious Tocorón prison.
This is not the first time Maduro has used Christmas as a political tool. In 2023, he ordered the holiday season to begin on November 1, later expressing regret that he hadn’t started it even earlier. In 2021, amid the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Maduro decreed that Christmas would begin on October 4, hoping to boost consumer spending and lift the nation’s spirits.
However, this year’s decree has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters. The Venezuelan Episcopal Conference, a body representing the country’s Catholic bishops, issued a statement condemning the premature start to the Christmas season. “Christmas commences on December 25,” the Conference asserted, warning that the holiday should not be used for political or propaganda purposes.
The early celebration of Christmas in Venezuela is traditionally accompanied by government bonuses for public employees and increased social spending, with Maduro likely hoping that these measures will help placate a population weary of economic hardship and political repression. However, many Venezuelans are skeptical of the government’s motives, seeing the decree as a cynical attempt to distract from the ongoing crisis.
Maduro’s grip on power has been increasingly challenged both domestically and internationally. The opposition coalition backing Gonzalez has called for a thorough investigation into the election results, publishing online tally sheets that they claim show Maduro lost the presidency by a wide margin. The United States and several other governments have also demanded that Venezuelan authorities release detailed voting data to verify the election outcome.
In addition to these calls for transparency, the international community has taken more direct actions against Maduro. This week, US authorities announced the seizure of a Venezuelan plane used by Maduro for international travel, which was grounded in the Dominican Republic. Another plane linked to Maduro is reportedly under constant surveillance by Dominican authorities, further isolating the embattled leader.
While Maduro’s decree for an early Christmas may bring some temporary cheer to his supporters, it is unlikely to distract from the deeper issues facing Venezuela. The country remains deeply divided, with the government’s harsh response to dissent fueling further unrest. For many Venezuelans, the holiday season this year will be overshadowed by the ongoing struggle for political freedom and the fight against authoritarianism.
As Venezuela enters this prematurely festive period, the world will be watching closely to see how the situation unfolds. Will the early Christmas bring the peace and joy Maduro has promised, or will it serve as yet another reminder of the challenges facing a nation in turmoil? Only time will tell, but for now, the lights of Christmas in Venezuela shine dimly against the dark backdrop of political repression and uncertainty.
