Christmas in October? Maduro’s Latest Ploy To Distract Venezuela
In a move as bizarre as it is calculated, Nicolás Maduro has officially rescheduled Christmas in Venezuela to October 1. While most of the world is waiting until December to celebrate the holiday, Maduro seems to think that an early dose of holiday spirit will magically cure his country’s political turmoil.
“It is September and it already smells like Christmas,” Maduro said on Monday during his television show More With Maduro. “And that is why this year, in homage to you, in gratitude to you, I am going to decree the advancement of Christmas to October 1.”
While retailers like Target have been stealthily moving the Christmas season earlier and earlier to sell seasonal decor, Maduro’s motives are a little less festive. He aims to distract the population from the political storm brewing around him.
Just hours before the announcement, the Venezuelan prosecutor’s office ordered the arrest of Edmundo González, the opposition candidate recognized by many as the winner of July’s presidential election.
Officially, Venezuela’s National Electoral Council declared Maduro as the victor, with 51 percent of the vote compared to González’s 44 percent. The results of the election, however, have not been made public and remain unverified by independent sources.
In response, the opposition reviewed tallies from about 80 percent of the voting machines in the country and found a very different outcome. According to their results, González swept the elections with 67 percent, leaving Maduro with just 30 percent. The United States and several Latin American and European countries have thrown their support behind González, criticizing the Maduro regime for its lack of transparency in the election process.
Following the disputed election, protests erupted across Venezuela, leaving over 20 dead and hundreds more injured. The situation has led to a massive crackdown by the regime, which has arrested over 2,000 people. Even sending a text critical of the regime can lead to charges of “terrorism.”
Adding fuel to the fire, a massive blackout plunged 80 percent of the country into darkness last Friday. Maduro attributed the electrical failure to s
Article from Reason.com
The Reason Magazine website is a go-to destination for libertarians seeking cogent analysis, investigative reporting, and thought-provoking commentary. Championing the principles of individual freedom, limited government, and free markets, the site offers a diverse range of articles, videos, and podcasts that challenge conventional wisdom and advocate for libertarian solutions. Whether you’re interested in politics, culture, or technology, Reason provides a unique lens that prioritizes liberty and rational discourse. It’s an essential resource for those who value critical thinking and nuanced debate in the pursuit of a freer society.