Trump Declares Himself Acting President of Venezuela After Maduro Arrest

Former US President Donald Trump has triggered widespread international debate after declaring himself the “Acting President of Venezuela” through a post on his social media platform, Truth Social. The announcement, made in January 2026, comes weeks after a dramatic US military operation that led to the arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.

Trump’s post featured his official portrait alongside the title “Acting President of Venezuela, Incumbent January 2026,” while also referencing his role as the 45th and 47th President of the United States. The declaration immediately raised questions about Washington’s intentions in the oil-rich South American nation and the legal basis of such a claim.

The statement follows what US authorities described as a large-scale military operation carried out in Venezuela earlier this year. During the operation, Maduro and Flores were captured and transferred to New York, where they are facing indictments related to alleged narco-terrorism conspiracy charges. US officials said the action was aimed at dismantling criminal networks and restoring stability in Venezuela.

Following Maduro’s removal, Venezuela’s Vice President and Oil Minister Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as the country’s interim president. However, Trump has argued that the transition requires oversight, claiming that the United States would temporarily supervise Venezuela’s administration to prevent political chaos and economic collapse.

Trump further stated that interim authorities had agreed to transfer between 30 and 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil to the United States. According to him, the oil would be sold at market prices, with proceeds managed under US supervision to support reconstruction and stability efforts. He also said that US Energy Secretary Chris Wright had been instructed to immediately implement the plan, with oil shipments transported to American ports.

In addition to Venezuela, Trump issued a warning to Cuba, announcing that Venezuelan oil supplies and financial assistance to Havana would be halted. The move signals a broader shift in US policy toward Latin America, particularly regarding governments aligned against Washington.

Despite Trump’s announcement, international records and widely used public databases do not recognise him as Venezuela’s acting president. What remains officially documented is Maduro’s arrest, the installation of Delcy Rodríguez as interim leader, and ongoing uncertainty surrounding Venezuela’s political future.

The declaration has drawn sharp reactions from analysts and global observers, many of whom warn that such unilateral claims could escalate diplomatic tensions and complicate international efforts to stabilise the region. As Venezuela navigates an uncertain transition, Trump’s statement has added a new and controversial dimension to an already volatile geopolitical situation.