Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro has decided to move Christmas to October.

The President of Venezuela is moving Christmas to October with an unusual decision. In a televised announcement, he declared that Christmas will be celebrated starting from October 1st, as he is already in the holiday spirit.

This decision came shortly after the announcement of a manhunt for opposition leader Edmundo González. González had questioned Maduro's questionable election victory and is currently wanted on terrorism-related charges.

Maduro defended the manhunt, stating, "No one in this country is above the laws and institutions." He then emphasized the idea of celebrating Christmas early: "Christmas has come for everyone with peace, happiness, and security."

This move is seen as an effort to increase aid to struggling citizens and gain popularity, as it has been done in the past. In a country hit by an economic crisis, Christmas holidays were also started in October in 2020 and 2021.

Maduro's controversial election victory has been criticized by the international community. The EU announced that it will not recognize Maduro's presidency if the election victory cannot be proven. The US claims to have evidence that González won the election.

According to the UN, the Maduro government has arrested 2,400 people and is conducting a fear campaign against its opponents since the election.