"November 1 has arrived in Venezuela and Christmas begins today," proclaimed dictator Nicolás Maduro on Wednesday. Between cries of "long live the people" and "long live happiness," the president kicked off the two months of celebrations decreed by his government: Venezuelan Christmas.
In October, Maduro declared theater the country would move up and extend the holiday festivities, calling on his citizens to "fix their houses, to fix the community, to make it beautiful, bright, colorful. … To tell baby Jesus, Venezuela is ready to receive you."
Desde el Palacio del Pueblo y en cada rincón de la Patria, dimos inicio a la Navidad con el encendido de las luces del Warairarepano y más, arrancamos la época más linda del año. Tenemos dos meses de fiesta, alegría y renovación de nuestra fe. ¡Sigamos Juntos, en amor infinito,… pic.twitter.com/WOoWGUkGfr
— Nicolás Maduro (@NicolasMaduro) November 2, 2023
This move is nothing new from Maduro. It is not the first time that the start of Christmas has been brought forward. He also did it in 2021, 2020 and 2019. In addition, in other years, he has promoted campaigns such as gifting citizens dolls modeled after himself and his wife, Cilia Flores: superheroes Súper Bigote and Súper Cilita.
The opposition was quick to criticize the latest initiative. "Venezuelans of course deserve a happy Christmas, but with fair salaries and pensions, no less than $4 a month," wrote Henrique Capriles. "While the small group of privileged people turned on hundreds of lights in the Miraflores palace; communities and apartment complexes in the interior of Venezuela and even Caracas did not have electricity."
With each mockery of Venezuelans, disapproval of the worst government in history increases and must be transformed into millions of votes in 2024.
¡Llegó el #1Nov Venezuela! Serán dos meses de fiesta para el Pueblo venezolano. Recibamos con alegría la época más bonita del año, la de las hallacas, el pesebre, las gaitas y la parranda navideña. Que nada ni nadie nos quite la sonrisa. ¡Pueblo Victorioso!
— Nicolás Maduro (@NicolasMaduro) November 1, 2023
Venezuela’s expedited Christmas occurs at the same time that the United States warned Maduro that, after softening the sanctions against Venezuela, it could reimpose them if he does not allow the candidacy of María Corina Machado, winner of the internal opposition primary. The efforts to "give the greatest amount of happiness possible to Venezuelans" also occur in a context of growing complaints of crimes against humanity and an annual inflation that is around 400%.
Chavista companies and individuals have used the opportunity to express their affinity for the regime:
¡La época más hermosa del año llegó a Venezuela! Nuestro presidente @NicolasMaduro encendió las luces desde el majestuoso Palacio de Miraflores, dando inicio oficialmente a la Navidad.
La Navidad en Venezuela es más que una tradición, es el reflejo de nuestra resiliencia, de… pic.twitter.com/nqWaNg219u
— Nahum Fernández (@Nahumfernandezm) November 2, 2023
Le damos la bienvenida a la Navidad, donde el Banco de Venezuela es tu mejor aliado para disfrutar de esta festividad que está llena de detalles, regalos y prosperidad 🎄
¡Navidad pa´ buena! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/INeDoNmS4b
— Banco de Venezuela (@BcodeVenezuela) November 2, 2023
Con gran sinceridad y felicidad, desde el Destacamento Guardia del Pueblo San Francisco, los niños y niñas del municipio Maracaibo, estado Zulia, desean Feliz Navidad.
Que sus deseos sean bendiciones para esta amada Patria.@NicolasMaduro@vladimirpadrino @ElioEstrada18 pic.twitter.com/3rPfPkgBqw
— GuardiaDelPueblo (@GuardiaDPueblo) November 3, 2023
