Maduro Rival Summoned Over Uploaded Venezuelan Vote Records
BloombergAug 19
Venezuela's Maduro Moves Christmas to October
Above: Nicolás Maduro cheers just before entering the Miraflores Palace during the 'Gran Marcha Mundial por la Paz' in his support on August 17, 2024 in Caracas, Venezuela. Image copyright: Alfredo Lasry R/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The 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.
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.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
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
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.