United States President Donald Trump sparked global attention after posting a message on his Truth Social account in which he described himself as the “Acting President of Venezuela.” In the post, he shared an image styled like a Wikipedia entry that listed him as the “Acting President of Venezuela” beginning January 2026, alongside his U.S. vice president, J.D. Vance.
The unusual claim comes amid heightened U.S.–Venezuela tensions following a recent U.S. military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife to face federal charges in New York. Although Trump has stated that the United States would oversee Venezuela until a stable leadership transition occurs, there is no legal or international recognition of Trump as Venezuela’s president. Instead, Venezuela’s Supreme Tribunal of Justice appointed Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as interim president.
Trump’s post also outlined plans for the U.S. to control and sell large quantities of Venezuelan oil on international markets—a move framed as benefiting both Venezuela and the United States. The declaration has drawn widespread reaction and raised complex questions about international norms, sovereignty, and the geopolitical situation in Venezuela.
In a separate development, Trump has also issued warnings aimed at Cuba, urging cooperation with the United States or risking loss of access to Venezuelan oil supplies, a key source of support for Havana.
