Venezuela kicks off Christmas season with calls for unity and healing

Venezuela lit up for Christmas, with hopes for healing and unity, as interim President Delcy Rodriguez officiated the opening of the Christmas season illumination display at Los Proceres Park in Caracas on Sunday (November 1), calling on Venezuelans to embrace one another in a spirit of support and reconciliation.

Crowds gathered among Christmas light displays and illuminated trees, with performers dancing and families taking photos with Santa Claus before a fireworks display closed the evening. Rodríguez told the crowd the occasion was "an embrace to heal wounds, an embrace to reconnect with friends and family," while attendees said they hoped the season would bring empathy and joy to a country still recovering from a devastating earthquake.

Venezuela was struck by deadly twin earthquakes in June, causing widespread devastation near Caracas and killing more than 6,500 people, with the state of La Guaira among the hardest hit.

Rodriguez has served as acting president since January 2026, becoming the first woman in Venezuelan history to perform the duties of the presidency, following the capture of Nicolas Maduro during a US intervention.

Camera: Anthony Ramirez; Editing and Production: Efrain Otero; Writing: Jacinta Goh/Rueters