Trump Declares Himself 'Acting President of Venezuela' Amid Controversy

Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump has ignited significant global controversy by posting a digitally manipulated image on social media, declaring himself the “Acting President of Venezuela,” shortly after the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in a U.S. operation.

The altered image, shared on Trump’s Truth Social account, mimicked an official profile page featuring Trump’s portrait with the label “Acting President of Venezuela.” The post went viral, eliciting strong reactions from political figures, legal analysts, and social media users across the globe.

In a separate post, Trump humorously remarked that Senator Marco Rubio should be dubbed “President of Cuba,” further amplifying the political turmoil stemming from his statements.

Domestic Leadership Choices

Despite Trump’s assertions, Venezuela's transition of authority is occurring through its established constitutional means. Following Maduro’s arrest, the Supreme Tribunal of Justice of Venezuela designated Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as the acting president to ensure governmental continuity and uphold national institutions.

Caracas officials have been adamant that the interim leadership was selected internally and not influenced by foreign nations. Legal experts assert that no country has the right to appoint leadership for a sovereign state.

Aftermath of Maduro’s Capture

Earlier this month, Nicolás Maduro and his spouse, Cilia Flores, were apprehended in a U.S.-led operation and are being processed in the United States on federal charges. Maduro has denounced the charges, claiming they contravene international law and infringe upon Venezuela’s sovereignty.

Post-operation, Trump stated that the U.S. would oversee Venezuela during a “transition period”, asserting that Washington was “in charge” of the nation, primarily aiming to revive oil production and stabilize the economy.

However, senior U.S. officials later emphasized that the United States has no intention of managing Venezuela directly, even while it maintains pressure through economic sanctions and energy-related actions.

International Reactions and Escalating Tensions

Trump’s announcement claiming the title of “Acting President of Venezuela” has inflamed already heightened international tensions. Numerous countries and diplomatic observers have condemned both the military operation and the ensuing political rhetoric, cautioning that this could further exacerbate instability in the region.

Meanwhile, Venezuela’s interim government persists in its operations from Caracas, reaffirming that the country’s future lies within its own legal frameworks and constitutional authorities, not dictated by foreign social media assertions.

As legal disputes and diplomatic efforts unfold, the situation in Venezuela remains precarious, with global interest intensifying on how this crisis will influence regional dynamics and international relations.