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Photos show Venezuelans celebrating Holy Innocents' Day

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Photos show Venezuelans celebrating Holy Innocents' Day
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News

Photos show Venezuelans celebrating Holy Innocents' Day

2025-12-29 06:16 Last Updated At：15:25

CAUCAGUA, Venezuela (AP) — Hundreds of people in northern Venezuela took to the streets for the annual Bandos and Parrandas of the Holy Innocents of Caucagua, a celebration rooted in Afro-descendant cacao-growing communities.

Marked on Dec. 28 alongside the Catholic Feast of the Holy Innocents, the festivity dates back more than 200 years, when enslaved people were given the day off and turned it into a moment of satire and resistance. Today, participants preserve that rebellious spirit by wearing costumes inspired by plantation owners and using humor, riddles and parody to poke fun at authority.

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Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Revelers prepare to take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Revelers prepare to take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
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Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Revelers prepare to take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Revelers prepare to take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

This gallery was curated by AP photo editors.

AP photography: https://apnews.com/photography

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apnews

Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

 Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

 Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

 Revelers prepare to take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Revelers prepare to take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

 Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

 Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

 Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Revelers take part in the centuries-old Afro-Venezuelan Holy Innocents celebration in Caucagua, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

LYON, France (AP) — Forward Jule Brand scored the decisive goal in the 86th minute as OL Lyonnes beat titleholder Arsenal 3-1 to reach the Women’s Champions League final on Saturday.

Goals from captain Wendie Renard and striker Kadidiatou Diani put Lyon 2-0 up at halftime, but Alessia Russo's competition-leading ninth goal looked to have sent the game into extra time.

But Brand latched onto Melchie Dumornay's pass to make it 4-3 on aggregate for record eight-time champion Lyon, which lost the first leg 2-1.

Lyon will face either Bayern Munich or three-time champion Barcelona. They play on Sunday and are locked at 1-1 after the first leg in Germany, when Bayern goalscorer Franziska Kett was sent off for pulling the hair of an opponent.

The final will be in Oslo on May 23.

A frantic opening at Groupama Stadium saw a header from Lyon midfielder Lindsey Heaps ruled out following a video review.

But VAR went Lyon's way midway through the first half when a penalty was awarded after defender Lotte Wubben-Moy fouled Dumornay from behind.

Renard scored the penalty on her second attempt.

Arsenal goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar saved the first one but the kick was re-taken for encroachment in the area, and Renard sent her the wrong way with her second effort.

Arsenal benefited from two defensive blunders to win the first leg 2-1 in London, but struggled from corners against Lyon.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Lyonnes' Wendie Renard, left, gets to the ball ahead of Arsenal's Stina Blackstenius, right, during the Women's Champions League semifinal, second leg, soccer match between OL Lyonnes and Arsenal, in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Saturday, May 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Lyonnes' Wendie Renard, left, gets to the ball ahead of Arsenal's Stina Blackstenius, right, during the Women's Champions League semifinal, second leg, soccer match between OL Lyonnes and Arsenal, in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Saturday, May 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

 Lyonnes' Wendie Renard, center, celebrates after scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot during the Women's Champions League semifinal, second leg, soccer match between OL Lyonnes and Arsenal, in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Saturday, May 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Lyonnes' Wendie Renard, center, celebrates after scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot during the Women's Champions League semifinal, second leg, soccer match between OL Lyonnes and Arsenal, in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Saturday, May 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
Arsenal's Smilla Holmberg and Alessia Russo, left, drive the ball past Lyonnes' Selma Bacha, eon the ground, during the Women's Champions League semifinal, second leg, soccer match between OL Lyonnes and Arsenal, in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Saturday, May 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Arsenal's Smilla Holmberg and Alessia Russo, left, drive the ball past Lyonnes' Selma Bacha, eon the ground, during the Women's Champions League semifinal, second leg, soccer match between OL Lyonnes and Arsenal, in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Saturday, May 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

 Lyonnes' Jule Brand, left, scores her side's third goal during the Women's Champions League semifinal, second leg, soccer match between OL Lyonnes and Arsenal, in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Saturday, May 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Lyonnes' Jule Brand, left, scores her side's third goal during the Women's Champions League semifinal, second leg, soccer match between OL Lyonnes and Arsenal, in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Saturday, May 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

 Lyonnes' Jule Brand celebrates after scoring her side's third goal during the Women's Champions League semifinal, second leg, soccer match between OL Lyonnes and Arsenal, in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Saturday, May 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Lyonnes' Jule Brand celebrates after scoring her side's third goal during the Women's Champions League semifinal, second leg, soccer match between OL Lyonnes and Arsenal, in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Saturday, May 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
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