Trump Declares Himself "Acting President of Venezuela" Following Maduro's Capture

On January 3, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro during a military operation conducted by U.S. special forces in Caracas. Following Maduro's abduction, Trump declared on his social media platform, Truth Social, that he was the "Acting President of Venezuela," a claim that has sparked significant controversy and debate regarding U.S. involvement in Venezuelan affairs.

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The military operation that led to Maduro's capture was characterized by a swift and decisive approach, with Trump asserting that the U.S. would "run" Venezuela until it could establish a stable government capable of holding free elections. Trump indicated that the U.S. would tap into Venezuela's vast oil reserves, which he claimed could generate substantial revenue for the U.S. However, he faced immediate pushback from industry leaders, including ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods, who described the Venezuelan market as "uninvestable" due to past nationalizations and ongoing instability.

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In the wake of the operation, Trump stated, "We are going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition." He emphasized the potential for U.S. oversight to last "much longer" than initially anticipated. Conversely, Delcy Rodríguez, who was appointed as Venezuela's interim president by the Supreme Court, asserted that the Venezuelan government remained intact and that the U.S. had no authority over the country. Rodríguez declared, "The power of the people and their constitutional government... there is a government, the government of President Nicolás Maduro."

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Critics of Trump's actions have drawn parallels between the current situation in Venezuela and the U.S. invasion of Iraq, suggesting that the administration is repeating past mistakes by failing to plan for the aftermath of regime change. Observers have noted that Trump's approach lacks a clear strategy for addressing the potential for political violence and societal polarization in Venezuela. Furthermore, concerns have been raised about the sustainability of U.S. claims that oil revenues would cover the costs of intervention, echoing earlier misconceptions during the Iraq War.

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There is a notable discrepancy regarding the extent of U.S. control over Venezuela. While Trump claims that the U.S. will oversee the country, Secretary of State Marco Rubio later clarified that the U.S. would not engage in day-to-day governance but would enforce a quarantine on oil shipments. Additionally, the Venezuelan government has initiated diplomatic discussions with the U.S. to re-establish relations, indicating a complex and evolving situation.

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• “We are going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition,” — Donald Trump, President of the United States

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• “Who governs Venezuela? The power of the people and their constitutional government, so there is no doubt, there is no uncertainty,” — Delcy Rodríguez, Interim President of Venezuela

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• “If we look at the legal and commercial constructs and frameworks in place today in Venezuela today, it’s uninvestable.” — Darren Woods, CEO of ExxonMobil

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As the situation develops, the U.S. administration is expected to face ongoing scrutiny regarding its strategy in Venezuela, particularly concerning the management of oil resources and the potential for further military actions in the region. The outcome of diplomatic efforts between the U.S. and Venezuela will also be closely monitored as both nations navigate this unprecedented political landscape.

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