In Venezuela, Christmas is no longer known as the celebration of Jesus’ birth. The country’s president, Nicolás Maduro, changed the date of Christmas day to the first of November in order to give “happiness for all people” according to Fox News Latino. His idea to move Christmas to November developed after a difficult six months of his new presidency.
According to The Huffington Post, many believe that his attempt to move Christmas a month earlier is just an effort to win votes before the municipal elections of December 8.
Maduro made his Christmas declaration at the government-organized Socialist Christmas Fair November 1 in Caracas. He sang traditional Christmas songs and sponsored the selling of typical holiday food items.
Additionally, Maduro announced that all of his workers will receive the first two-thirds of their Christmas pensions and bonuses from November 10 to 11. He also lit the nativity lights at the Presidential Palace of Miraflores.
“Merry Christmas 2013, Christmas early, early victory, early happiness for the whole family,” President Maduro said, according to Fox News Latino. “We wanted to declare the arrival of Christmas because we want happiness for everyone.” 
Maduro’s Christmas Day controversy is just one of many of his offbeat actions as a leader. During the first week of November, the president accused Twitter of conspiring with his enemies in a massive attack on his and other government members’ accounts. According to The Huffington Post and Fox News Latino, Maduro also claims that Hugo Chavez’s spirit appeared to him in the shape of a bird, months after Chavez had died. He was a mentor to Maduro, as well as his predecessor. 

During his presidency, a series of food shortages, electricity blackouts, economic struggles, and a toilet paper shortage have occurred. According to Fox News Latino, Maduro does not blame himself for the food shortages or electricity blackouts but blames sabotage by the “extreme right.”  He has provided no evidence for his accusations.
“I think it is very strange that President Maduro has attempted to change the date of this international holiday, especially because he is the only person who has attempted to do so,” sophomore and Venezuelan citizen Maru Cisneros said.
– Katie Nail, Staff Writer
 
Source:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/05/venezuela-moved-christmas-nicolas-maduro_n_4219383.html
http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2013/11/04/venezuelas-maduro-decrees-arrival-christmas-in-country-orders-advanced-payment/
http://www.latimes.com/opinion/opinion-la/la-ol-venezuela-christmas-november-maduro20131107,0,6525888.story#axzz2mLbIhMDQ