Maduro issues Christmas gift warning --[Reported by Umva mag]

The Venezuelan leader has pointed to recent pager blasts in Lebanon, while urging caution for the upcoming festive period

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has warned members of his government against accepting electronic devices as Christmas presents.

Maduro’s comments at a meeting on Venezuelan culture in Caracas on Friday followed a series of deadly explosions involving communications equipment in Lebanon last week.

”Do not accept electronic gifts… be careful with telephones, cellphones, be careful everyone,” the president said during a speech broadcast on national television.

Read more

“You've seen what happened in Lebanon, everyone should be on alert,” he added.

Artisanal handicrafts, books and traditional Venezuelan products like coffee and rum could be given instead, Maduro suggested.

The mass detonation of pagers and walkie-talkies in Lebanon last week left at least 37 people dead and some 3,000 injured. Israeli intelligence is widely suspected of having orchestrated the attacks, which targeted the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.

Maduro won a third consecutive term as president of Venezuela at an election in July. According to the National Electoral Council, Maduro garnered 52% of the vote. The opposition, however, has accused Caracas of rigging the polls.

The US, along with the EU and several other countries have backed opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez in refusing to recognize Maduro’s victory.

READ MORE: Venezuela foils CIA plot to kill Maduro – interior minister

Earlier this month, Venezuela’s interior minister claimed the security service had thwarted a CIA-backed plot to assassinate Maduro and stage acts of terrorism.

The following news has been carefully analyzed, curated, and compiled by Umva Mag from a diverse range of people, sources, and reputable platforms. Our editorial team strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information we provide. By combining insights from multiple perspectives, we aim to offer a well-rounded and comprehensive understanding of the events and stories that shape our world. Umva Mag values transparency, accountability, and journalistic integrity, ensuring that each piece of content is delivered with the utmost professionalism.