Venezuela's Maduro Moves Christmas to October

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Facts

  • Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro earlier this week announced a decree bringing forward Christmas festivities to Oct. 1 this year 'in homage' and 'gratitude' to his countrymen.[1]
  • This is not unprecedented, as Maduro has declared an early holiday season on at least three occasions since taking office in 2013 — on Nov. 1, 2017, on Oct. 15, 2020, and on Oct. 4, 2021.[2][3]
  • According to the news agency EFE, the 'Christmas in October' decree has little practical effect, other than the timing of placing decorations in public spaces. It's unclear whether workers' Christmas bonuses will be paid by October.[4][5]
  • The announcement in his weekly television appearance on Monday comes as Maduro faces pressure at home and abroad following the issuance of an arrest warrant for his main rival, Edmundo González, amid allegations of election fraud in July.[6][7]
  • The country's electoral authority declared Maduro the winner with 51.95% of the vote, but the opposition claims that tallies indicate González won with 67% of ballots.[8][9]
  • Post-election protests nationwide have led to many deaths and thousands of arrests. The US and many neighboring countries have refused to recognize his claim to a third term, demanding detailed voting results are released.[10][6]

Sources: [1]Últimas Noticias, [2]Voz Media, [3]Huffington Post, [4]Euronews, [5]Washington Examiner, [6]CNN, [7]FOX News, [8]EL PAÍS English, [9]Bloomberg and [10]Daily Caller.

Narratives

  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Reason.com. Pushing Christmas earlier in the year to distract the people of Venezuela has become a pattern when Maduro is against the ropes. It's not surprising that the Venezuelan dictator has rescheduled the holiday season to Oct. 1 this year to try and divert attention while he tightens his grip on power in the midst of a challenge to his regime.
  • Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Venezuelanalysis. It's no coincidence that well-known media outlets serving the semi-official US misinformation machine are hyping up the fact that Christmas celebrations will start in Venezuela on Oct. 1 now that the South American country has been brought back into the global spotlight. This is all part of a desperate, US-backed coup attempt.

Predictions