Venezuela's president criticizes Spain's National Day celebrations

Speaking on a private television channel, Maduro condemned the choice of the specific date for Spain's national holiday and suggested that a more appropriate day be chosen.

He emphasized that for the people of the Americas, Oct. 12 marks the beginning of immense suffering with the arrival of European colonizers, leading to widespread devastation, subjugation and exploitation of indigenous populations.

Maduro highlighted that this day holds a profoundly negative meaning for countries like Venezuela and other Latin American nations.

For them, Oct. 12 signifies not only bloodshed and oppression but also the struggle for survival and the rejection of monarchy in favor of republican ideals.

The celebration of Oct. 12 commemorates the day in 1492 when Christopher Columbus first landed in the Americas.

It was officially designated as Spain's national holiday in 1987 through legislative changes.