“He will come with peace, happiness and security”

International

Maduro brought forward Christmas in Venezuela: “It will come with peace, happiness and security”

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced the early start of Christmas amid the post-election crisis unleashed after the July 28 presidential election in which he was proclaimed re-elected but which the opposition denounced as a fraud.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said he will celebrate Christmas early in tribute and gratitude to Venezuelans. (Photo Prensa Libre: EFE)

“In homage to you, in gratitude to you, I am going to decree the advancement of Christmas to October 1,” said Maduro on Monday, September 2, during his television program in which he previously celebrated the “peace” established in the country after the “criminal attacks” against his government.

“Christmas starts on October 1st for everyone. Christmas has arrived with peace, happiness and security,” he said.

Following the vote, protests against his re-election broke out in Venezuela amid allegations of fraud by the opposition led by María Corina Machado and her candidate Edmundo González Urrutia, who claim a victory with more than 60% over Maduro.

The protests left 27 dead, 192 injured and more than 2,400 people arrested, including around 100 teenagers. Maduro blamed Machado and González Urrutia, 75, for the unrest and called for both to be jailed.

An arrest warrant was issued for González Urrutia the day before. The prosecution accuses him of crimes related to the elections, including “disobedience of laws” and “conspiracy.”

“Nicolas Maduro”:
Because he brought forward Christmas to October 1st. pic.twitter.com/LIGghC5ZlN

— Why is it a trend? (@porktendencia) September 3, 2024

The investigation against González Urrutia also comes from the dissemination of the electoral records that would demonstrate his victory on a website set up by the opposition.

“No one in this country is above the laws, the institutions, as this man in hiding, the coward Edmundo González Urrutia, has tried to do,” Maduro said in his program. “They could not, nor will they be able to!”, “Not today, not ever, not ever!”