Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced that Christmas will begin on October 1 in the country as an expression of “gratitude” to the Venezuelan people. The decree was issued on the same day that the Public Prosecutor’s Office obtained an arrest warrant for opposition presidential candidate Edmundo González.
“September is coming and I said: September and it already smells like Christmas. And that is why this year in honor of you, in gratitude to you, I will decree an early Christmas for October 1, with peace, happiness and security,” said Maduro during his weekly program on Monday (2).
THE CNN contacted the Venezuelan Episcopal Conference and the Archdiocese of Caracas about the president’s announcement.
The Venezuelan Episcopal Conference said on Tuesday (3) that Christmas is a universal celebration that, as a liturgical time, begins on December 25, and asked that the holiday not be used for “private propagandistic or political purposes”.
The Church added that “the manner and timing of its celebration are the responsibility of the ecclesiastical authority.”
After the elections on July 28, the Venezuelan Episcopal Conference called for respect for the popular vote in the elections and expressed solidarity with those who “live the anguish of not knowing the whereabouts of detainees.”
Meanwhile, messages of support for González from the international community continue with calls to guarantee the freedom and safety of the presidential candidate of the opposition Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD).
Election in Venezuela had electronic ballot box and printed vote; understand
This content was originally published in Maduro brings Christmas forward to October amid political crisis in Venezuela on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
