A woman takes a snapshot of a Christmas decoration at the military complex in Fuerte Tiuna in Caracas on October 1, 2024. Last month, President Nicolas Maduro made great fanfare of announcing the Christmas season would be brought forward to October 1, though the public spirit does not reflect the glitz in a country rocked by economic and political strife since his widely questioned reelection to a third six-year term in a July 28 vote. (Photo by Juan BARRETO / AFP)