WILLEMSTAD - Just over a month before Christmas, part of the much-discussed holiday decorations in Saliña has been taken down following a wave of criticism on social media. Over the past few days, numerous posts and videos have circulated online showing decorations that many found disturbing rather than festive.

Among the removed pieces were a red Christmas ornament featuring a distorted face and a yellow star sticking out its tongue. According to several Facebook and Instagram users, these designs were inappropriate for the holiday season and clashed with the spirit of Christmas.

Early this morning, shortly after 8:00 a.m., two of the controversial decorations were removed from the site.

The Christmas decorations across Curaçao are installed by the government in collaboration with Aqualectra, the island’s public utility company. So far, neither the government nor Aqualectra has issued a statement regarding the removal or the public reaction.

Despite the controversy, the remainder of Curaçao’s Christmas lighting program is expected to continue, as residents look forward to the island’s traditional festive displays in the weeks leading up to the holidays.