Venezuela’s Supreme Court has announced the appointment of Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as Acting President, citing the urgent need to preserve administrative continuity following reports that President Nicolás Maduro has been seized by United States forces.
In a brief statement issued on Friday, the court said the decision was taken under constitutional provisions that allow for a temporary transfer of executive authority in the event that the sitting president is “incapacitated or unable to discharge the functions of office.” The court did not disclose the expected duration of Rodríguez’s acting tenure.
The development comes amid escalating tensions between Caracas and Washington. Earlier reports indicated that U.S. forces had carried out a direct operation resulting in Maduro’s capture, a claim that has sparked widespread international concern and diplomatic unease. As of the time of filing this report, full details surrounding the circumstances of Maduro’s seizure remain unclear, and no independent international body has verified the operation.
The situation is further complicated by earlier declarations from the United States signaling readiness to take decisive action against Venezuela, including statements interpreted as threats to assume control over the country’s vast oil reserves. However, those annexation-related assertions were later reportedly toned down, with U.S. officials suggesting that no immediate policy shift was being implemented.
With Rodríguez now serving as acting president, attention has shifted to the scope of U.S. intentions. Political analysts are questioning whether Washington could extend its actions to Venezuela’s new interim leader, a move that would significantly escalate the crisis and potentially violate international norms regarding state sovereignty and diplomatic immunity.
So far, there has been no official indication that the United States intends to detain or seize Vice President Rodríguez. Experts note that such an action would likely provoke strong global backlash, deepen regional instability in Latin America, and trigger emergency deliberations at the United Nations and other multilateral forums.
Inside Venezuela, reactions remain mixed. Government loyalists have called for calm and national unity, while opposition figures are demanding clarity on Maduro’s status and urging the international community to intervene diplomatically to prevent further escalation.
This is a developing story, and updates are expected as more verified information emerges from Caracas, Washington, and international observers.
