Donald Trump describes himself as ‘Acting President of Venezuela’ in Truth Social post

US President Donald Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social listing himself as the “Acting President of Venezuela,” with his official portrait and the caption “Incumbent January 2026.” The post also retained his designation as the 45th and 47th President of the United States.

The unusual designation comes amid extraordinary developments after a US military operation against Venezuela earlier this month, in which US forces reportedly carried out a “large-scale” strike and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were flown to New York and indicted on narco-terrorism conspiracy charges.

Trump has publicly said the United States will “run Venezuela until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” and that his administration plans to control and sell Venezuelan oil to benefit both Venezuelans and Americans, directing the proceeds under his authority.

Meanwhile, Venezuela’s Supreme Tribunal of Justice has recognised Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as the country’s interim president, and she was formally sworn in earlier this month, with the Venezuelan military also declaring support for her leadership.

The Truth Social post appears to be symbolic or provocative rather than an official constitutional change — there is no recognized U.S. or international process by which a U.S. president legally assumes the title or role of another sovereign nation’s head of state.

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