Trump Posts Himself as ‘Acting President of Venezuela’ Following Maduro’s Capture

U.S. President Donald Trump shared an image on his social media platform Truth Social on Sunday portraying himself as the “Acting President of Venezuela,” days after a U.S. military operation led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

The image, styled like a Wikipedia entry, lists Trump as Venezuela’s acting leader as of January 2026. The post has sparked widespread attention and debate, as no government or international body has formally recognised the claim.

The U.S. operation, carried out on January 3, resulted in the arrest of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. They were transported to the United States to face federal charges in New York, including allegations related to drug trafficking and weapons violations.

Trump stated that his administration would manage Venezuela’s government functions and oversee the country’s oil resources during a transitional period. Meanwhile, Venezuela’s constitutional process continued, with Vice President Delcy Rodríguez sworn in as interim president following Maduro’s removal.