Confusion surrounds the leadership of Venezuela after US President Donald Trump claimed that Vice President Delcy Rodríguez had been “just sworn in” as the country’s new president following the capture of Nicolás Maduro by US forces.
Speaking on Saturday, Trump said the United States had carried out an overnight operation in Venezuela that resulted in Maduro’s arrest. He added that Washington would temporarily run the country to ensure what he described as a “safe, proper and judicious transition,” raising the possibility of US forces being deployed on the ground.
“We’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” Trump said at a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. He also said US oil companies would be sent into Venezuela to repair damaged infrastructure, even as an embargo on Venezuelan oil remains in place.
Trump further claimed that Vice President Delcy Rodríguez had already been sworn in as president following Maduro’s capture. However, there has been no official announcement from the Venezuelan government confirming any such swearing-in.
According to multiple sources cited by Reuters, Rodríguez was believed to be in Russia at the time, though Russia’s state news agency dismissed those reports as false. The lack of confirmation has fueled uncertainty over whether any formal transfer of power has taken place.
Trump also said Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were being transported by ship to New York, where they would face US indictments on alleged drug trafficking, weapons, and conspiracy charges. He shared what he described as the first image of Maduro after his capture, claiming it was taken aboard the USS Iwo Jima.
Earlier on Saturday, Rodríguez demanded that the United States provide “proof of life” for Maduro and Flores. Her remarks were broadcast in an audio message on Venezuelan state television following Trump’s announcement of their capture.
As of now, there is no independent confirmation that Rodríguez has assumed the presidency, leaving Venezuela’s political future highly uncertain amid rapidly escalating tensions with the United States.