Trump Claims “Acting President of Venezuela” After Maduro Arrest

Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump has triggered fresh global controversy after sharing a digitally altered image on social media claiming he is the “Acting President of Venezuela,” just days after Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro was captured in a U.S. operation.

The image, posted on Trump’s Truth Social account, appeared to mimic an official profile page and displayed Trump’s portrait with the title “Acting President of Venezuela” written beneath it. The post quickly went viral, drawing sharp reactions from political leaders, legal experts, and social media users around the world.

In another post, Trump also appeared to support a joking claim suggesting Senator Marco Rubio should be named “President of Cuba,” adding to the political uproar surrounding his remarks.

Venezuela’s Leadership Already Decided Internally

Despite Trump’s claim, Venezuela’s transition of power has followed its own constitutional process. After Maduro’s removal, the country’s Supreme Tribunal of Justice ordered Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to assume the role of acting president to maintain continuity of government and protect national institutions.

Officials in Caracas have made it clear that Venezuela’s interim leadership was established domestically and not by any foreign government. Legal experts have also stressed that no country can appoint its own leader as the head of another sovereign nation.

What Happened After Maduro’s Capture

Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured in a U.S.-led operation earlier this month and transferred to the United States, where they are facing federal charges. Maduro has rejected the case against him, claiming his arrest violates international law and his country’s sovereignty.

Following the operation, Trump stated that the United States would oversee Venezuela during a “transition period” and claimed Washington was now “in charge” of the country, mainly to restore oil production and stabilize the economy.

However, senior U.S. officials later clarified that the United States does not intend to directly govern Venezuela, even as it continues to exert pressure through economic and energy-related measures.

Global Reaction and Rising Tensions

Trump’s post declaring himself “Acting President of Venezuela” has intensified already high international tensions. Several countries and diplomatic observers have criticized both the military operation and the political messaging that followed, warning that it could further destabilize the region.

Meanwhile, Venezuela’s interim government continues to function from Caracas, insisting that the country’s future will be decided by its own legal and constitutional institutions, not by statements made on foreign social media platforms.

As legal battles and diplomatic negotiations continue, the situation in Venezuela remains volatile, with global attention now focused on how the crisis will reshape regional politics and international relations.