STORY: Thousands gathered at a plaza in Caracas to dance and sing on Wednesday (October 1) as Venezuela launched its Christmas celebrations, with public workers and attendees expressing gratitude to president Nicolas Maduro and local leaders for the festivities.

“Venezuela is peace, it is beauty,” said Alida de Fernandez, a public worker, as children posed in front of illuminated signs and performers on stilts entertained the crowd. The government described the early Christmas as a way to “cultivate joy” and counter external threats.

The celebrations come amid heightened geopolitical tensions, with the U.S. increasing its military presence near Venezuelan waters. Maduro has repeatedly accused foreign powers of seeking to destabilize the country and called on citizens to embrace the holiday season as a show of national resilience.

Since taking power in 2013, Maduro has celebrated Christmas in October as an “economic and cultural stimulus”, framing the early festivities as a way to boost morale, unity, and consumer activity, especially following political events like elections or in response to international tensions.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS IN CARACAS / SOUNDBITES FROM RESIDENTS

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: CARACAS, VENEZUELA (OCTOBER 1, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all) (NIGHT SHOTS)

1. MOMENT OF CHRISTMAS LIGHTS BEING TURNED ON AT CARACAS’ MAIN SQUARE, PLAZA BOLIVAR

2. STAR ON TOP OF CHRISTMAS TREE

3. VARIOUS OF CHILDREN POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPH IN FRONT OF LIT SIGN READING (Spanish): “MERRY CHRISTMAS”

4. PEOPLE IN PLAZA DURING CHRISTMAS LIGHTS CEREMONY

5. PUBLIC WORKER, SALVADOR JIMENEZ (RIGHT), DANCING DURING THE START OF CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PUBLIC WORKER, SALVADOR JIMENEZ, SAYING:

"Today, Christmas begins in our country Venezuela with a display of joy. In our town, we fight war to achieve peace."

7. PEOPLE WALKING ON BOULEVARD LIT WITH CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

8. VARIOUS OF LIT SIGN READING (Spanish): "MERRY CHRISTMAS”

9. PEOPLE DRESSED IN CHRISTMAS COSTUMES

10. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PUBLIC WORKER, ALIDA DE FERNANDEZ, SAYING:

"Today we start these happy holidays in harmony and peace, because Venezuela is peace, it is beauty. Look at this wonderful atmosphere we are in. Thank you, President, thank you to the mayor, thank you to the head of government for these happy holidays in peace. We love it."

11. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE IN PLAZA DURING CHRISTMAS LIGHTS CEREMONY

12. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPHS

13. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PUBLIC WORKER, ANA PALACIOS, SAYING:

"Today, happiness begins in Venezuela—peace, the peace we have always had, but today is a very special day for our children. Thank you, President, thank you to the mayor for this harmony, for this great pride. We will always support you; you will never be alone because you have given us this joy, this happiness with all the Venezuelan people."

14. PEOPLE DANCING

15. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE SINGING CHRISTMAS CAROLS ON STAGE DURING CHRISTMAS LIGHTS CEREMONY

16. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE DANCING

17. PEOPLE DRESSED IN CHRISTMAS COSTUMES ON STILTS

18. LIT CHRISTMAS LIGHTS MARKING THE START OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON

19. CHILDREN PLAYING WITH BALL DURING CHRISTMAS LIGHTS CEREMONY