After Maduro’s Capture, Trump’s ‘Acting President of Venezuela’ Claim Triggers Worldwide Debate

After Maduro’s Capture, Trump’s ‘Acting President of Venezuela’ Claim Triggers Worldwide Debate

Shortly after a highly unusual social media post, US President Donald Trump labelled himself “Acting President of Venezuela, Incumbent January 2026” in an image circulated on Truth Social. The graphic, styled to resemble a Wikipedia page and featuring Trump’s portrait alongside his designation as both the 45th and 47th US President, sparked discussion online — but it does not appear on the actual Wikipedia page for Venezuela’s leadership and has not been recognised by any government or international body.

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump

The post came in the wake of a dramatic US military operation in which Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were removed from Venezuela and flown to New York to face federal drug-trafficking and narco-terrorism charges. The intervention followed months of US pressure, sanctions and targeted military actions against Caracas, a campaign that drew strong criticism from countries including China, Russia, Colombia and Spain, which called the action a violation of international law.

Trump Signals Temporary US Role in Venezuela

Hours after the operation, Trump said the United States would temporarily “run” Venezuela, citing security concerns and emphasising the need for a controlled transition. He also said the US would manage and sell Venezuelan oil on global markets during this interim period.

Inside Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, previously Maduro’s vice president, was sworn in as interim president. Rodríguez immediately rejected the US assertions of authority, demanded Maduro’s release and reaffirmed that he remains the legitimate head of state.

In a stark warning, Trump suggested Rodríguez could “pay a very big price” if she did not cooperate with Washington — a comment interpreted by international observers as a threat directed at Venezuela’s leadership.

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Political Prisoners, Oil Deals and US Business Ties

Trump also claimed credit after Venezuela announced it would release a number of political prisoners as a “gesture to seek peace,” asserting on Truth Social that their release followed directly from US actions and urging the freed individuals to “never forget it.”

In meetings with American oil executives at the White House, Trump pushed for massive investments in the Venezuelan oil sector — suggesting up to $100 billion in investment to rebuild and expand production. He said the US would choose which companies could operate in Venezuela and help rehabilitate its dilapidated energy infrastructure, despite broad international concern about the legality and consequences of such economic control.

Trump also touted an agreement with Venezuela’s interim leadership to supply millions of barrels of crude oil to the United States, potentially on an ongoing basis, a move he said would help lower US energy prices. Around the same time, he signed an executive order aimed at safeguarding revenues from Venezuelan oil sales held in the United States.

Conflicting Claims of Legitimacy

Maduro, who has led Venezuela since 2013 and succeeded Hugo Chávez, pleaded not guilty to the charges in a New York federal court, calling his capture a “kidnapping” and maintaining he is Venezuela’s constitutional president. Inside Venezuela, Rodríguez continues to wield authority domestically and publicly challenges US assertions of control, deepening the political standoff.

Analysts say the situation underscores deep geopolitical rifts, with the US framing its actions as part of a legal and security effort while critics argue the intervention breaches international norms and Venezuelan sovereignty. For now, the symbolic claim by Trump on social media remains just that — a statement without formal recognition, even as diplomatic and legal battles play out on multiple fronts.