In a move that has raised eyebrows both domestically and internationally, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has announced that Christmas celebrations in the country will begin on October 1 this year – a full three months ahead of schedule.

"It's September, and it already smells like Christmas," Maduro declared during his weekly television show on September 2. "That's why this year, as a way of paying tribute to you all, and in gratitude to you all, I'm going to decree an early Christmas for October 1."

In response, Venezuela's Episcopal Conference has rebuked the decision, reminding the faithful that the religious holiday traditionally begins on December 1 with Advent.

In a statement, the Catholic leadership emphasised that Christmas "should not be used for propaganda or political purposes". They clarified that the liturgical season of Christmas officially commences on December 25 and extends to Epiphany in January.
The Church also stressed that the timing of Christmas celebrations falls under the jurisdiction of ecclesiastical authorities, not the government.

This unorthodox move comes at a time of intense political turmoil in Venezuela, following a highly contested presidential election in July. It is widely seen as a last-ditch attempt to distract the populace from the ongoing crisis that has engulfed the nation.

The July 28 election has been mired in controversy, with both Maduro's ruling PSUV party and the opposition claiming victory. However, electoral authorities loyal to the incumbent declared him the winner without providing detailed results to support their claim.

This lack of transparency has drawn sharp criticism from the international community. The United States, European Union, and several Latin American countries have declared the results fraudulent, asserting that opposition candidate Edmundo González is the rightful winner.

Adding fuel to the fire, Venezuelan authorities issued an arrest warrant for 75-year-old González just hours before Maduro's festive announcement, accusing him of various crimes including conspiracy, falsifying documents, and usurpation of powers.

In the wake of the disputed vote, Venezuela has seen a fierce widespread crackdown on opposition voices. According to AFP, more than 2,400 people have been imprisoned, including journalists, politicians, and aid workers. The government's harsh response, nicknamed "Operación Tun Tun" (Operation Knock Knock), has reportedly resulted in over 20 deaths and 1,700 arrests as authorities moved to quell post-election protests.

Bloomberg reports that the United States is poised to respond with individual sanctions against 15 senior Venezuelan officials, including the foreign minister, the supreme court president, and a top member of the electoral council, for their alleged obstruction of free and fair elections.

While Maduro gleefully promises a Christmas of "peace, happiness and security," most Venezuelans do not share his excitement. The country continues to grapple with one of the worst peacetime economic collapses in modern history, leaving citizens struggling to meet basic needs.

The minimum wage in Venezuela remains at 130 bolivars per month (approximately $3.55), untouched since 2022. Workers also receive a monthly food assistance bonus of about $40, and those enrolled in a system of government benefits get an additional $90. However, this largely falls far short of covering basic necessities in a country that, despite hosting the world’s largest proven oil reserves, faces severe economic challenges and deep-rooted corruption.

This is not the first time Maduro has moved Christmas celebrations forward; he employed a similar tactic during the Covid-19 pandemic, although never as early as October. The bizarre move appears to be part of a broader strategy to shift public attention away from the country's long-running political and economic woes, poised to further deteriorate in the coming months amid an unprecedented political stalemate.