Trump Posts Altered Image Claiming Himself “Acting President of Venezuela”
Trump posts digitally altered image asserting Venezuelan leadership role.
President Donald Trump posted a digitally altered image on Truth Social portraying himself as the “Acting President of Venezuela,” accompanied by a caption reinforcing the claim. The image featured his official portrait superimposed against a Wikipedia-style background, with the title prominently displayed below. This provocative statement emerged amid escalating international tensions following the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, on January 3, 2026.
Trump further amplified the controversy by sharing a post jokingly endorsing the notion of Secretary of State Marco Rubio serving as President of Cuba, adding the caption “Sounds good to me.” The posts have drawn widespread criticism for appearing to undermine Venezuelan sovereignty and for their inflammatory tone during a highly sensitive diplomatic period.
Following Maduro’s removal, Venezuela’s Supreme Tribunal of Justice invoked constitutional succession protocols to ensure administrative continuity. The tribunal directed Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to assume the role of acting president, emphasizing the need to safeguard national institutions amid the crisis. This domestic transition occurred independently of any U.S. executive directive.
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In a press conference on January 3, Trump asserted that the United States would “run” Venezuela temporarily to restore oil production and stabilize operations. He reiterated on January 4 that the U.S. was “in charge” of the country, while maintaining an “oil quarantine” policy to exert pressure on the interim administration. Secretary Rubio later clarified that Washington had no intention of directly administering Venezuelan affairs.
Maduro, currently detained and facing arraignment in a U.S. federal court on multiple charges, has condemned his capture as a violation of international law and sovereign immunity. He continues to challenge the legitimacy of his detention from custody, heightening diplomatic friction between Washington and Caracas.
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