WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump has stirred another controversy by declaring himself the “Acting President of Venezuela,” following a high-profile military operation carried out in early January 2026.
The announcement came via Trump’s own social media platform, Truth Social, where he shared a photo of himself with the caption “Acting President of Venezuela” — a statement that marks a dramatic escalation in the geopolitical situation surrounding Venezuela.
The post suggested that as of January 2026, Trump was taking on the role of leading the country following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
This move comes after the US military launched a successful operation on January 3, which resulted in the capture of President Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
The US authorities are seeking to try them in a New York court, facing charges related to drug trafficking and weapons offenses.
In the wake of Maduro’s capture, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as interim president, taking charge of the country as a temporary measure.
However, the new Venezuelan government has continued to maintain dialogue with the Trump administration, as a US diplomatic and security team has arrived in Caracas to assess the possibility of reopening the US Embassy in the country.
During this transition, Trump has asserted that his administration will oversee Venezuela’s operations and manage the country’s significant oil assets.
The announcement has drawn mixed reactions from international observers, with some raising concerns about the implications of foreign military interventions in sovereign nations, while others view the move as a step toward reshaping Venezuela’s political future under US influence.
