Maduro Urges Venezuelans Not to Accept Electronic Devices as Gifts

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro urged his government and supporters not to accept electronic devices as Christmas gifts following the simultaneous explosions this week of wireless communication devices belonging to Hezbollah in Lebanon, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).

In a statement broadcast by radio and television, Maduro said: “Do not accept electronic gifts (…) beware of phones and portable devices.” He advised all “ministries, institutions, and state-owned companies” to prioritize purchasing “handmade crafts and toys made in Venezuela” for exchanging gifts during “Christmas celebrations.”

Hundreds of “pager” and wireless communication devices used by Hezbollah members exploded across Lebanon on Tuesday and Wednesday in an unprecedented attack that killed 37 people and injured about 3,000 others.

Hezbollah and Lebanon accused Israel of booby-trapping these devices, but Israel did not comment on the attacks.