WASHINGTON, Jan 12 — U.S. President Donald Trump has proclaimed himself the “acting president” of Venezuela in a social media post, following a U.S. military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro earlier this month.
In a Sunday post on his platform Truth Social, Trump shared an image of himself labeled as Venezuela’s interim leader, effective January 2026. The declaration comes days after U.S. forces conducted an operation in Caracas on January 3, detaining Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and transporting them to a U.S. facility.
Maduro, who was democratically elected, is currently facing trial in a New York federal court on charges related to alleged gun and drug trafficking.
Trump has stated that his administration intends to oversee Venezuela’s operations, with a particular focus on the country’s oil sector. In a New York Times interview published Thursday, he indicated that the U.S. could manage Venezuela and its oil revenues for an extended period.
Trump has encouraged U.S. oil companies to resume purchasing Venezuelan crude and operations in the country, despite their reluctance. Major firms, whose assets were nationalized under former President Hugo Chávez nearly two decades ago, have called for legal reforms in Venezuela before re-engaging. Trump dismissed their concerns, advising them not to be “cute.”
In the wake of Maduro’s detention, Venezuela’s Supreme Court swore in Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as interim president. Her administration has since initiated diplomatic discussions with U.S. officials.
A U.S. delegation, including diplomatic and security personnel, has arrived in Caracas to evaluate the potential reopening of the American embassy.
Meanwhile, supporters of Maduro have held daily protests in Caracas, demanding the release of the detained leader and his wife, who remain in U.S. custody.
