Washington (nytoday) — US President Donald Trump declared himself the interim president of Venezuela in a controversial social media post, igniting international debate and concern. Trump shared the post on his platform Truth Social, featuring a digitally altered image styled like a Wikipedia page that labelled him as “Interim President of Venezuela” with an “Incumbent: January 2026” tag alongside his official portrait.
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The unusual self-declaration comes in the wake of a dramatic escalation in US-Venezuela relations. Earlier this month, American forces carried out what officials described as a “large-scale” operation in Caracas, capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. They were reportedly flown to New York, where federal prosecutors have charged them with drug trafficking and narco-terrorism offences. Maduro and Flores have pleaded not guilty to the charges and have criticised the operation as an illegal abduction.
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Despite Trump’s online claim, no recognised international body has officially acknowledged him as Venezuela’s interim leader. Within Venezuela, the country’s Supreme Court appointed Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as interim president following Maduro’s removal, although her leadership has faced both domestic and global scrutiny.
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Political analysts say Trump’s declaration appears aimed more at signalling US influence in Venezuelan affairs than reflecting legal authority. The move has sparked sharp criticism from foreign governments, human rights organisations and international law experts, who warn that such actions could undermine established norms of sovereignty. Additionally, critics argue this could further destabilise a nation already reeling from years of economic and political crisis.
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The situation remains highly fluid, with global diplomatic repercussions unfolding as nations and international organisations assess the legality and implications of the US’s intervention. Venezuela, which holds some of the world’s largest oil reserves, now finds itself at the centre of a major geopolitical conflict that could reshape power dynamics across the Western Hemisphere.