Venezuelans in the capital, Caracas, on Sunday burned effigies representing socialist dictator Nicolas Maduro and other “opposition” collaborators as part of the traditional “Burning of Judah” activity that takes place every Easter.
The Festival of the Burning of Judah is an annual event. activity In some countries in Latin America and Europe, Catholic communities celebrate Easter weekend by burning statues of Judas Iscariot to commemorate the apostle’s betrayal of Jesus Christ, and to commemorate Jesus’ crucifixion and death. , events began that would culminate in the Resurrection.
In Venezuela, this celebration is usually held on Easter Sunday. Given Venezuela’s complex political history, the portrait of “Judas” represents politicians and government officials whom respective communities and organizers consider to be a threat or guilty of corruption, betrayal of the people, or other disgraceful acts. , public figures, and other figures. .
Opponents of the government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro present President Maduro (bottom center), Russian President Vladimir Putin (top center), and Caracas Mayor Carmen Melendez (left) during the traditional “Burning of Judah” ) burn a dummy with an image of it on it. April 17, 2022, Caracas, Venezuela (Photo by Yuri CORTEZ/AFP)
The statue of Judas, installed Sunday in Caracas’s Candelaria neighborhood, was a two-headed man symbolizing socialist dictator Nicolas Maduro. Main force The annual event featured “opposition” candidate Manuel Rosales, the current governor of Zulia and a leftist figure; last minute Register for Maduro’s fake presidential election on July 28th.
Mr. Rosales is also the leader of the New Era Party. member of the Socialist International), has become widely popular. accused It has worked with the Maduro government in the past. He is the only major “opposition” candidate allowed to appear on the ballot, along with 12 lesser-known collaborators.Rosales chose He will not take part in the opposition’s October 2023 primary elections, which were overwhelmingly won by Maria Colina Machado of the center-right Vente Venezuela party. elected It’s to take on Maduro. President Maduro has banned Machado from running for public office.
Maria Corina Machado protests against “a new constitutional coup” in Caracas, Venezuela, on October 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
“Between the chicken and midnight [hastily]he [Rosales] “He trampled on the expression of more than three million Venezuelans in the primary elections, turned his back on unity, and decided to unilaterally register his presidential candidate,” said Carlos Julio Rojas, leader of the Caracas North Front civil society group. . Said before burning the doll.
#Venezuela | EN VIDEO: Vecinos quemaron cerca de Miraflores un “Judas alacrán” con las caras de Maduro y Rosales
📹 Video: Carlos Julio Rojas pic.twitter.com/i9Bi9JATOt
— Karaota Digital (@CaraotaDigital) March 31, 2024
“This is an expression of the torture of the people of Caracas who want freedom and demand democracy,” Rojas said as protesters chanted “Freedom!” and effigies were burned.
“This is not an incitement to hatred, but a message of the people demanding elections,” he continued.
LOHAS Said AFP said the effigy of Maduro Rosales was burned because he had “made pacts with the mafia and the dictatorship” and said he had been arrested four times.
“There are people here without water or electricity, tortured with starvation wages,” he stressed.
Pocas Cuadras of Caraqueños Prendmos en Candela Al in Miraflores #Judas #Alacran #rosales De #Maduro, @manuelrosalesg traciónaste #Vuzla Paktand against Kandidatulla policy @PresidentialVen. @NicolasMaduro Maximize Pueblo Torture Doll, USA @cneesvzla–@minpublicoVEN Hi… pic.twitter.com/qvktbXxvRL
— Carlos Julio Rojas (@CarlosJRojas13) March 31, 2024
The burned effigies also bore the symbols of the Venezuelan National Electoral Council (CNE) and National Assembly, which are under the complete control of the ruling socialists and who organized and planned the fake elections.
Furthermore, this portrait had a picture of a “scorpion” on it. This is an “opposition party” that brokers deals, colludes with, or actively collaborates with the ruling socialists in public or publicly, against the best interests of the Venezuelan people. This is local slang for a politician who calls himself “.” behind their own party.
Christian K. Caruso is a Venezuelan writer who chronicles life under socialism. You can follow him on Twitter here.
