U.S. President Donald Trump sparked a fresh storm Monday by posting on his platform Truth Social that he has served as Venezuela’s “acting president” since January 2026—an assertion with no formal international recognition that swiftly went viral and drew widespread scrutiny.
The claim comes nine days after a controversial U.S. military operation in Caracas on January 3, during which Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were seized and transported to New York to face drug-trafficking–related charges. In the immediate aftermath, Venezuela’s Supreme Court swore in Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as interim president, a move publicly backed by the country’s military.
Trump has already said his administration will “manage” Venezuela and its oil sector during a transitional period. In an interview with NBC News, he ruled out elections in the next 30 days—“I’m in charge,” he said—arguing conditions are not yet in place for a vote. He floated U.S. subsidies to rebuild Venezuela’s energy infrastructure, suggesting the work could be finished in under 18 months, financed by private oil companies and later repaid through revenue.
NBC reported that Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller are among the officials helping steer U.S. involvement. Asked who would ultimately be responsible for Venezuela, Trump answered with a single word: “Me.”
While Trump’s post amplified a narrative of direct U.S. stewardship, diplomatic observers noted the declaration does not carry international legal standing, and governments are responding cautiously as questions mount over legitimacy, sovereignty, and the trajectory of Venezuela’s political transition.